UFC Returning to Abu Dhabi For UFC 242, Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier Likely

The UFC is set to return to Abu Dhabi for UFC 242, which will likely be headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier. MMA Weekly reports that the company has signed a five-year partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism and that UFC 242 will be the first event in the city, on September 7th.

The partnership will see the UFC hold events in the city that will include at lease one title bout for each show. No fights have been officially announced, but Dana White said at the UFC 236 post-show press event that “Poirier will fight Khabib next, probably in September.”

“We are making a long-term commitment to Abu Dhabi because we have had great success in that market,” said UFC President Dana White. “The demand from our fans to bring UFC back to Abu Dhabi has been overwhelming, and over the next five years, DCT Abu Dhabi will help us deliver some spectacular UFC championship fights to the UAE. I’m very excited about this partnership and what it will mean for the growth of this sport and for UFC in the region.”