Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Office, has met with UFC president Dana White to discuss the success of the recently concluded “Return to Fight Island”.
The UFC's second residency in the capital drew to a close early on Sunday with UFC 254, where Khabib Nurmagomedov retained his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje and then announced his retirement from the sport. The Russian was undefeated in all 29 professional bouts.
“Return to Fight Island”, which began with UFC 253 on September 27, comprised five events in all and was staged inside a specifically created safe zone on Yas Island. The inaugural series was hosted there in July.
Sheikh Khalid, who met White alongside Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak and Saif Saeed Ghobash, was said to have “commended the quality of the events that brought together top fighters from different countries and attracted viewers from around the world, thanks to the strong partnership Abu Dhabi has with the UFC”.
Abu Dhabi signed a five-year agreement with the world’s lead mixed martial arts organisation last year.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office said White “expressed his gratitude to Abu Dhabi for hosting Fight Island twice this year despite Covid-19 measures and with the highest standards of health and safety, reaffirming Abu Dhabi’s status as the new home of UFC”.
White told The National earlier this month that he hoped to bring a third Fight Island run to the emirate by February.
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UFC 254: Khabib beats Gaethje in Abu Dhabi
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UFC 254 GALLERY: Dagestan fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje of the US after their lightweight title bout on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov clinches his victory over Justin Gaethje via a second-round triangle choke at Flash Forum. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov takes down Justin Gaethje. Getty -
Justin Gaethje kicks Khabib Nurmagomedov. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov punches Justin Gaethje. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov after his victory. Getty -
Australian fighter Robert Whittaker lands a punch during his victory over Jared Cannonier of the US in their middleweight bout. Getty -
Robert Whittaker after the fight against Jared Cannonier. Getty -
Jared Cannonier punches Robert Whittaker. Getty -
Robert Whittaker punches Jared Cannonier. Getty -
Dagestan's Magomed Ankalaev celebrates his KO victory over Ion Cutelaba of Moldova in their light heavyweight bout on UFC's Fight Island, in Abu Dhabi. Getty -
Magomed Ankalaev knocks down Ion Cutelaba. Getty -
Magomed Ankalaev punches Ion Cutelaba. Getty -
Russian fighter Alexander Volkov celebrates his victory over Walt Harris of the US after their heavyweight bout. Getty -
Alexander Volkov punches Walt Harris. Getty -
Walt Harris punches Alexander Volkov. Getty -
US fighter Lauren Murphy celebrates her victory over Liliya Shakirova of Uzbekistan after their women's flyweight bout. Getty -
Lauren Murphy punches Liliya Shakirova. Getty -
Liliya Shakirova and Lauren Murphy during their bout. Getty -
US fighter Phillip Hawes lands a punch during his 18-second victory over Jacob Malkoun of Australia in their middleweight bout. Getty -
Phillip Hawes punches Jacob Malkoun. Getty -
Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty -
Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty -
Kazakhstan's Shavkat Rakhmonov on his way to victory over Alex Oliveira of Brazil in their welterweight bout. Getty -
Alex Oliveira lands a kick on Shavkat Rakhmonov. Getty -
American fighter Casey Kenney lands a punch and his way to victory over Nathaniel Wood of England in their catchweight bout. Getty -
Nathaniel Wood punches Casey Kenney. Getty -
Australian Tai Tuivasa lands a punch on Stefan Struve of the Netherlands on his way to victory in their heavyweight bout. Getty -
Stefan Struve lands a kick on Tai Tuivasa. Getty
