UFC primed for Abu Dhabi return

The Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, which is set to return this year, will be headlined by UFC 281 on Saturday October 22, at Etihad Arena.

UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, and the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) made the announcement.

With UFC hosting the first full-capacity event in London this week, the return to Abu Dhabi continues the organisation’s event expansion following the COVID-19 pandemic.

UFC 281 will be a blockbuster event, including a crowd-pleasing title bout.

Whilst Abu Dhabi has been the home to international UFC events over the pandemic, UFC 281 will mark the first time events and activations can return in full physical form in the emirate since UFC 242: KHABIB vs POIRIER in September 2019.

The third Abu Dhabi Showdown Week will host concerts, workshops, pool parties and city-wide activations featuring some of the biggest UFC stars.

Fatima Al Baloushi, Acting Director of Abu Dhabi Events Bureau, at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "We look forward to welcoming fans from around the world and showing them why Abu Dhabi is the ultimate UFC destination."

"I can't wait to bring another event back to Abu Dhabi," said UFC President Dana White.

"Every time we go there the events get bigger and better, and this year we are going all out and bringing back Abu Dhabi Showdown Week in addition to more incredible fights. Fans are not going to want to miss this one," White added.

UFC 267: BLACHOWICZ vs TEIXEIRA in October 2021 was the organisation’s first event with expanded fan capacity in the new, state-of-the-art Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

Earlier in 2021, the venue hosted UFC 257 events as part of the third instalment of the world-renowned Fight Island series, with limited fan capacity.

UFC 281 will mark the promotion’s 17th overall event in Abu Dhabi, dating back to UFC 112: INVINCIBLE in April 2010.

During this time, Abu Dhabi has hosted nine title fights with three new champions crowned.

Further information, including bouts, tickets, and travel packages, will be released in due course.