1. UFC 251: Fight Island
How can this be number one? How can it even be on the list before it has even taken place?
How can it not?
Should every fight next Saturday fail to deliver, it would not take one bit away from the cultural impact that the event has had on the sport. From the moment Dana White mentioned that he was securing an island back in April, the public went wild with thoughts on what such an event would even look like. Immediately, visions of a secluded oasis akin to scenes from Enter the Dragon and Jurassic Park flooded social media and dominated the discussion amidst the lack of other sports. Capitalizing on the excitement, the UFC stoked the flame by remaining silent on the details and encouraging imaginations with merchandise referencing a hidden spit of land with palm trees surrounding an Octagon.
The dreams of Fight Island became an uncontrollable flame that even the cold wave of reality could not extinguish. Dana White has said in clear language: “Fight Island” is simply a closed section of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. There are no boats or helicopters needed, one can simply drive to the location from the mainland. The fights themselves will take place in an indoor venue and are expected to look similar to a typical UFC event. That photo of the cage on the beach? It’s just for promotion. Athletes are able to use it for training, but the 110 degree temperature seen during the day suggests that the most action it will see is likely to be in the form of photo-ops.
None of it matters.
The beast of Fight Island has already become self-sufficient. The idea is already rooted in too many minds. The image of the shirts and the cage on the sand is already burned into too many imaginations. The UFC is not in a hurry to ruin the magic, their commercial features plenty waves crashing against rocks and palm tree silhouettes that give no hint of a venue. Make no mistake, there will be fans who will tune in Saturday shocked to find that the fighters are not competing by the ocean but in an indoor venue similar to the norm.
But the job is done. The UFC has come up with a unique event unlike any seen before. Amidst the global pandemic, the promotion secured space on an island that circumvented travel restrictions into the United States in order to have some of the biggest stars in the sport compete.
And in true Fourth of July fashion, they brought a stacked event. Even if it’s a week after the fact.
