UFC 242: Meet UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at Al Wahda Mall

The UFC makes its return to Abu Dhabi on Saturday when Khabib Nurmagomedov headlines a stacked card against Dustin Poirier

Kamaru Usman is the No 9 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC and will be at Al Wahda Mall on Thursday. Courtesy UFC

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will be at Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi on Thursday to meet and greet fans as part of the lead-up to UFC 242.

The UFC makes its return to the UAE capital after a five-year hiatus on Saturday when Khabib Nurmagomedov headlines a stacked card against Dustin Poirier in a lightweight title fight.

Before fight night, a host of events are being held across Abu Dhabi as part of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, including Usman's appearance at Al Wahda Mall, where various activities will take place on Thursday between 11am and 10pm.

Fans will have the chance to meet one of the biggest stars of the UFC. Nigerian-American Usman, 32, boasts a 15-1 win-loss record, holds the welterweight title, and is ranked No 9 in the UFC's pound-for-pound ranking.

“Al Wahda Mall is honoured to align itself with the excellence of this inaugural event," Navaneeth Sudhakaran, general manager of Al Wahda Mall said.

"We encourage fitness fans to enjoy the thrilling challenges, workshops and activations being set up and make the most of this fantastic and exclusive gathering held at our mall."

As well as Nurmagomedov's main event fight with Poirier - which will mark the unbeaten Russian's return from a nine-month suspension - history will be made at UFC 242 when Abu Dhabi hosts its first female fights. Joanne Calderwood first takes on Andrea Lee in an early preliminary fight, before Liana Jojua faces Sarah Moras on the preliminary card.