Dana White reveals Fight Island ‘is not going away’ and will be ‘EVEN BIGGER’ this summer as UFC supremo insists he is ‘super excited’ for more events at the location in Abu Dhabi
- Dana White has confirmed Fight Island will be making a return this summer
- The UFC boss staged events in Abu Dhabi last year to continue during pandemic
- Sport has not been back since January but White has revealed he has big plans
- He has previously spoken of how it can become the fight capital of the world
Dana White has confirmed Fight Island will be making a return this summer, and vowed that it will be even better this time around.
Last summer the UFC supremo launched the concept to ensure the sport continued during the pandemic and staged events on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island.
White returned in January, including for UFC 257 when Dustin Poirier defeated Conor McGregor, but with the lifting of restrictions in the USA the sport has returned to more familiar surroundings.
Dana White has revealed plans are underway for Fight Island to make a big return this summer
Conor McGregor lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 in January which was staged in Abu Dhabi
However, White has revealed plans are underway for Fight Island to return and promised big things for when it does.
‘I’m flying to Abu Dhabi this summer and working on finishing building out the infrastructure of Fight Island,’ the UFC Boss told Bro Bible.
‘Not only is Fight Island not going away, Fight Island is going to be even bigger.
‘Fight Island is going to be so badass that it’s about to be this destination in Abu Dhabi for fight fans.
‘This summer I’m going to announce it and walk everyone through what’s going on there. I’m super excited for that.’
Khabib Nurmagomedov fought twice on Fight Island last year before he retired from UFC
McGregor’s fight with Poirier in January took place at the Etihad Arena, the largest indoor entertainment venue in the Middle East, which White has claimed was designed with the UFC in mind.
The events last summer, including Khabib Nurmagomedov’s two wins, were staged at Flash Forum, with the capacity less important while events were happening behind closed doors.
Last year, White told ESPN he sees Abu Dhabi as a major force in the sport, and the UFC boss has made it clear that he will be helping to lead that charge.
‘This is the fight capital of the world, right now,’ he said.
‘The infrastructure that’s here, all the cool things to do, I think that fans are going to flock here as soon as this thing opens up.’
White sees Yas Island in Abu Dhabi as having the potential to be the fight capital of the world