UFC stars and MMA superfans descend on The Arena

Supplied

The superstars of UFC 242 and over 5,500 mixed martial arts fans have descended on The Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Khabib Nurmagomedov headlines a stacked event with his UFC lightweight unification bout against Dustin Poirier on Saturday night.

Both fighters met the weight limit of 155 pounds at Friday's weigh-ins, as the anticipation for the main event in the week-long Abu Dhabi Showdown Week entertainment festival reached a combat sports-inspired crescendo.

With 26 fighters in the 13-bout fight card stepping on the scales during the UFC 242 weigh-in, thousands of spectators of all ages – hailing from countries as geographically diverse as Russia and Brazil - took a deep dive into the world’s leading MMA organisation and other fan-facing activations at the UFC Fan Experience.

Ahead of the UFC 242 showdown, fight fans across the UAE had a last-minute chance to snap up 100 newly-released floor seat tickets.

 

More from Sports News

  • Williams to face Australia's Joint in Wimbledon comeback

    American great Serena Williams will face Australian 20-year-old Maya Joint in the first round of her eagerly awaited return to Wimbledon, a potentially tricky tie for the seven-time champion playing at the tournament for the first time since 2022.

  • Australia reach World Cup knockouts, Turkey beat USA

    Australia booked their spot in the knockout rounds of the World Cup on Thursday after a cagey draw against Paraguay, who are set to qualify as a third-placed finisher, while Turkey beat USA 3-2, scoring the winner with virtually the last kick of the match.

  • Netherlands win Group F, Japan and Sweden also through

    The Netherlands scored two goals in the first seven minutes of the first half en route to a 3-1 victory over Tunisia on Thursday night in Kansas City in Group F, while Japan and Sweden drew 1-1 in Texas.

  • Beccacece hails Ecuador's biggest World Cup victory

    Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece said all Ecuadoreans have a lot to celebrate on Thursday after the country's biggest World Cup result ever, coming from behind to beat Germany 2-1 and advance to the knockout stage.

  • New Zealand openers break record against England

    New Zealand took control of the third Test at Trent Bridge with Tom Latham and Devon Conway setting a record partnership for the Kiwis against England on Thursday.

Coming Up