Khabib vs Gaethje headlines UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi
Khabib Nurmagomedev speaks to the media during a press conference. File / AFP
After the huge success of Fight Island series in July, the UFC will return to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island for a five fight series scheduled to be held between September and October.
The series headlines a much-anticipated return of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagmedov, who will face first-time challenger Justin Gaethje.
Speaking at the Dana White’s Contender Series 32 post-fight news conference on Tuesday, UFC boss Dana White confirmed the return of five fight-night series in the capital following July’s hugely successful inaugural Fight Island, with the upcoming run starting with UFC 253 on Sept. 27 and concluding with UFC 254 on Oct.24. There will be five events in all held on Yas Island, with shows also taking place on Oct. 4, 11 and 18.
“We’re going to Fight Island. They all have these big plans on how we’re going to announce all this stuff. The Ultimate Fighter is coming back, too,” said White.
“I start filming that when I come back from Fight Island. We’ve got the Contender Series. Lots of things going on.”
UFC 253 will be the start of the second series of ‘Fight Island’ events in Abu Dhabi, on Sept. 26, according to a MMA report.
The pay-per-view show will be featured by undefeated middleweight champion Israel Adesanya against 13-0 challenger Paulo Costa. The vacant light heavyweight throne will be on the line for co-headliners Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz.
The promotion will be closing the series with a pay-per-view card mouthwatering clash between undisputed lightweight king Khabib and interim titleholder Gaethje on Oct.24.
Khabib, who turns 32 later this month, is unbeaten in 28 professional mixed martial arts appearances, and is 12-0 in the UFC. Gaethje, meanwhile, is the interim belt-holder having defeated Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 in May. His record stands at 22-2 (UFC 5-2).
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There had been questions about Khabib’s fighting future ever since his father passed away from COVID-19 injuly.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov wasn’t just Khabib’s father — he was also his coach, mentor and best friend.
Khabib last fought in September 2019 in Abu Dhabi, successfully defending his title against Dustin Poirier and has been left “heartbroken” by the death of his father.
He was due to put his title on the line again in a fight with Tony (Ferguson) in April but was unable to leave Russia due to the pandemic.
‘Fight Island’ was a way for the UFC to keep running events with athletes that were unable to enter the US due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first ‘Fight Island’ run, opened with UFC 251 on July 12 and ended on July 26, featured 52 bouts in four different dates, including four title bouts. Petr Yan and Deiveson Figueiredo were crowned new champions in Abu Dhabi, while Kamaru Usman and Alexander Volkanovski defended their belts.
Adhering to the public heath guidelines, all the bouts were staged without fans in attendance. As of now, that remains the plan for Fight Island 2.
