UFC COO Lawrence Epstein: We have a very special relationship with Abu Dhabi

The UFC has described Abu Dhabi as its “most significant relationship” as the promotion promises to deliver “a major title fight that has worldwide significance” when it makes its return to the capital in October.

The world’s lead mixed martial arts promotion, which has a long-term agreement with the emirate’s Department of Culture and Tourism, announced on Thursday that it will stage UFC 294 at Etihad Arena on October 21. The 18th UFC event to take place in Abu Dhabi, it highlights a fourth Abu Dhabi Showdown Week (October 16-22).

The UFC’s most recent stop in Abu Dhabi took place last October, with the sold-out UFC 280. That event was headlined by Islam Makhachev’s lightweight championship victory against Charles Oliveira, while it also featured a bantamweight title bout between Aljamain Sterling and TJ Dillashaw, and a number of the promotion's lead athletes.

The UFC envisage their return this year will offer a similarly standout night of action.

“We’re always excited to come to Abu Dhabi,” UFC chief operating officer (COO) Lawrence Epstein told The National. “It’s become part of the annual schedule for major events of the UFC – every October we’re doing a major numbered event in Abu Dhabi.

“We couldn’t be more excited than to be back there in just a few months from now.”

On Thursday, UFC president Dana White said the promotion had “big plans” for UFC 294, continuing the company’s commitment to showcasing its best talent in Abu Dhabi.

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