The UFC have announced a five-year partnership with the The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, kicking off with UFC 242 in September.
Following a previous report that the UFC would return to Abu Dhabi later this year to host a PPV card, the promotion has made it official. On Monday, the UFC announced that it would be hosting UFC 242 on September 7, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, kicking off a five year partnership with the The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The partnership means a lot more UFC for the United Arab Emirates, and the first activity there since 2014, when the organization stopped in Abu Dhabi for UFC Fight Night 39.
No main event or other fights were announced for the UFC 242 card, however multiple reports in recent weeks have suggested that Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier will headline the card, in a lightweight title unification bout. Poirier won the interim title against Max Holloway at UFC 236 earlier this month.
“We are making a long-term commitment to Abu Dhabi because we have had great success in that market,” said UFC President Dana White via press release Monday. “The demand from our fans to bring UFC back to Abu Dhabi has been overwhelming, and over the next five years, DCT Abu Dhabi will help us deliver some spectacular UFC championship fights to the UAE. I’m very excited about this partnership and what it will mean for the growth of this sport and for UFC in the region.”
No venue has been announced for UFC 242. The card is expected to air on PPV in North America.
