UFC Summer Fight Night Abu Dhabi: Why UFC always chooses Abu Dhabi for his biggest quarrel

Since 2010, Abu Dhabi has hosted 21 UFC event and renewed its partnership with UFC through 2028, cementing its MMA hub position/ image: x

Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, on Saturday, July 26, 2025, roared for life on Saturday, 2025, as the UFC Summer Fight Knight headed a banged fight card with Robert Whitekar vs. Renier de Radder on Saturday, July 26, 2025. In an exciting main event, the Dutch Fenome Renier de Rider surprised the fans fighting the former middleweight champion Robert Whitkar through a split verdict, a career-defaulting victory that extended him 4-0 in the UFC and firmly revered him in the title interaction, the biggest mummies’ heart.The incident marked the 21st visit to UFC since 2010 as a trip to Abu Dhabi, a number that tells its story of change, both for sports and hosting Emirates.The stacked card held at Etihad Arena shown a tantalizing mixture of growing claimants and decorated veterans, promising thrilling action in several weight classes with high-octane shodown in several divisions. Some anticipated matchups are involved:

Everyone’s eyes now turn to the next centerpiece of the calendar: UFC 321, which is ready to headline Abu Dhabi Shodown Week on 25 October, 2025, which promises another blockbuster card in the capital. Tickets go on sale through Etihadarena.AE and Ticketmaster.AE on 25 July, and the expectation is already increasing.

Abu Dhabi’s UFC visit began in 2010 with UFC 112, the first outdoor event of promotion, including prestigious matchups such as Anderson Silva vs. Demian Maiya and Frankie Edgar vs. BJ Pen. Beated as an experimental and adventurous enterprise, since Combat has blossomed in one of the most successful international partnership of sports. Along with the Department of Culture and Tourism, with Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), UFC has now hosted 21 programs in the city, which is firmly establishing Abu Dhabi that fans and inner sources proudly called the “capital of the previous fight”., Some of those 21 events are the most prestigious quarrels in modern UFC history:1. UFC 112 (April 2010)

-First UFC outdoor phenomenon; Abu Dhabi’s UFC debut2. UFC 242 (September 2019)Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Dustin Poirier – Lightweight Title IntegrationKhabib dominates and defends his title in the incident globally.3. UFC 254 (October 2020)Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gethje – Lightweight TitleKhabib wins submission and emotionally retired inside the octagon.4. UFC 257 (January 2021)Connor McGregor vs Dustin Paurier II – Lightweight BoutPoirier administering its 2014 loss with a stunning 2-round knockout5. UFC 267 (October 2021)Glover Teixeira vs Jan Bxachowicz – Light Heavyweight TitleTeixeira becomes one of the oldest champions in History at 42 years old6. UFC 280 (October 2022)Islam Makhachev vs Charles Olivera – Lightweight title fightMakhachev dominates a new era to claim an empty title while entering a new era7. UFC 294 (October 2023)Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski II – Lightweight TitleMakhachev finished the featherweight champion with first -round head kick ko8. UFC 308 (October 2024)Ilya Topapuria vs Max Holowe – Fedarweight TitleTopapuria defends belt with a knockout win on the fan-fate Holowway The city also played an important role during the Kovid -19 epidemic when it hosted Fight Island, a safe international fight bubble that kept the game alive while the rest of the world shut down. This set an example for the Sports Logistics of crisis and strengthened Abu Dhabi’s reputation for world-class event management. The trajectory was formalized in 2019 when a long -term agreement was signed by UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi, which was extended through 2028 in October 2023. Under a fresh deal, Abu Dhabi will continue to host a major UFC incident annually, including a wider MNA region at least one fight night per year. As he says Abdulziz Al Hosani, DCT Abu Dhabi’s underscore, commented:“In relation to 15 years, UFC has increased 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 major events that thrill visitors and inhabitants.”

CEO of UFC: “I love it here.”

UFC CEO Dana White, to withdraw the enthusiasm anytime, is confirmed in praise for Abu Dhabi’s role in the global expansion of the organization:“Abu Dhabi is one of my favorite places in the world; people, restaurants, hotels, it is incredible. I have been very excited to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to some of the biggest quarrels in the history of UFC in Abu Dhabi and the next year the next year is going to be bigger than here.” White has a good reason to love it. During their partnership:

Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure, security and uninterrupted hospitality has made it an ideal site not only for events, but also for long -term strategic development.

Power slap: A new frontier in Combat Sports, and it is back

As the UFC strengthens its place in Abu Dhabi, its controversial youth also perform: Power slap. Established by Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta, and Craig Piligian in partnership with UFC, the regulated Slap-Labi League started internationally in Abu Dhabi with Power Slap 9 in 2024: Dampling vs. da Crazy Havian, a wild, sell-out shodown which ended in a dramatized draw. That single incident produced a shocking metrics:

After the success of his success, Power Slapping returns to Abu Dhabi on October 24, 2025, one day before UFC 321, again in space 42 Arena. It will be live and free on YouTube and Rumble, will continue its mission to make the number and awareness of the audience democratic. In a statement, Dana White expressed his incredible belief in the format and host city:“There have been 13 straight -selling programs in Power Slapping, and now one of the world’s major fighting capitals is going to Abu Dhabi. In only two years, the power slap has exploded with about 30 million followers and there are 20 billion video scenes on our platforms. There are 20 billion video scenes. A hotbade for the Middle East Power Slap, and I am busy to bring it back.”

Capital a game by design

The rise of Abu Dhabi as a global sports destination has not been accidental, it is deliberately, strategically and deeply revived. Over the years, the city has hosted the Marquet International Events such as Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, NBA Presence Games, World class boxing boxing and GU-Jitsu World Championships. In 2025 alone, it will phase the UFC’s corresponding events and two of the only international showcase of the power Slap. Top-tier infrastructure, seamless logistics and supported by a government, who consider the game as an economic engine and a tool of soft power, Abu Dhabi continues to prepare the map of global athletics. As the UFC moves forward in the summer capital and the vomiting count begins for UFC 321 and power slap, Abu Dhabi has proved that it is no longer an emerging destination, but is a destination.