The UFC has gone nearly a year without live spectators at its events, but that will soon be changing following an announcement from the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism.
UFC Fight Island 7 (January 16), UFC Fight Island 8 (January 20), and UFC 257 (January 23) are all set to take place in Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, and for the first time since last March, a “limited number” of spectators will be permitted to view the event live and in person.
Until now, COVID restrictions have meant that only essential personnel have been permitted at UFC events. Though the Etihad Arena has the capacity for 18,000 people, it’s thus far unclear how many guests will be allowed to watch the next Fight Island installment, and if tickets will be available to the public or provided via invite-only.
Fight Island 7 will feature a headlining bout between former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar. Neil Magny will face off against Michael Chiesa in a welterweight bout in the headliner for Fight Island 8, and capping things off at UFC 257 will be a highly anticipated fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. The McGregor/Poirier fight will be a rematch; back in 2014, McGregor defeated Poirier via TKO. Poirier is coming off a decision win against Dan Hooker last June, and McGregor earned his last win against Donald Cerrone in just forty seconds in January 2020.
The post Upcoming UFC Fight Island Events To Host “Limited Number” Of Spectators For 1st Time Since March appeared first on Jiu-Jitsu Times.