UFC Extends Partnership With Abu Dhabi Ahead Of UFC 294

With the UFC 294 pay-per-view card days away, the promotion announced on Thursday that it had extended its partnership with The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi through 2028. The deal, which the promotion announced after the UFC 294 post-fight press conference, calls for the UFC to deliver one numbered event that includes at least one title fight to the Emirate every year. The new deal also calls for additional Fight Night events to take place in the Middle East and North Africa.

The UFC has been holding fight cards in Abu Dhabi since 2010. The promotion struck a deal with Abu Dhabi in 2019. Since then, the promotion has held 15 fight cards there. UFC 294, which takes place on Saturday, October 21, is the 16th event the promotion has staged in Abu Dhabi since the two sides formed their partnership.

“Bringing UFC to Abu Dhabi each year has proved hugely popular, with MMA fans coming to the emirate from all over the world to watch the biggest and best fights in the sport,” said HE Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi (via UFC). “Over a 15-year relationship, UFC has extended its global reach and Abu Dhabi has established itself as a world capital for combat sports. Renewing our partnership with UFC allows us to continue to stage major events that thrill visitors and residents. We are excited to extend the relationship and innovate together to grow this sport in the UAE and wider region.”

UFC CEO Dana White said of Abu Dhabi, “Abu Dhabi is one of my favorite places in the world; the people, the restaurants, the hotels, it’s incredible. I have been so excited to be able to put on some of the biggest fights in the history of UFC in Abu Dhabi and it’s only going to get even bigger from here with additional Fight Nights coming to the region next year. I love it here.”

UFC 294 features a lightweight title fight between 155-pound champion Islam Makhachev and featherweight titleholder Alex Volkanovski in the main event. The card’s co-headliner is a middleweight title eliminator between ex-UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev.

UFC 294 is an early card in the States. The ESPN+ pay-per-view card begins at 2:00 p.m. ET, following prelims on ESPN+ at 10:00 a.m. ET.