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UFC to Have Live Fans in Attendance for January Fight Island Events

January 9, 2021 | Posted by Jeffrey Harris

ESPN reports that UFC will be allowing a limited number of fans to attend the next set of Fight Island events in Abu Dhabi for the fight league’s first three events of this year. These will be the first UFC events to have live fans in attendance since UFC 248, which took place on March 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

When the UFC returned from hiatus due to the pandemic in May with UFC 249, the events have been closed to the general public. They remained that way for the rest of 2020.

The decision to allow spectators for the upcoming trip to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi was approved by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism. There were reportedly talks about allowing fans for UFC’s last trip to Yas Island, but plans were not able to be finalized around that time in September and October.

There are currently three events scheduled for Fight Island this month to be held on January 16, January 20, and January 23. January 23 will feature UFC 257 with Conor McGregor facing Dustin Poirier.

The events will reportedly have a capacity of 2,000 people. The Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi can hold as high as 18,000 people.

UFC President Dana White commented on the news in a statement: “I’m pumped to start the year with a straight week of great fights — Saturday, Wednesday and Sunday — for fight fans all over the world with FIGHT ISLAND Triple Header. Following two highly-successful editions of UFC Fight Island and the recent Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to host major international events in a safe and secure environment this year.”

article topics :

UFC, UFC Fight Island, Jeffrey Harris