Conor McGregor’s Return Will Have Fans In Attendance – Along With Two Other Shows in Abu Dubai
Fans will be BACK in the stands for the first cards of 2021. The UFC announced they will open their doors to a limited number of fans on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, the first since March.
UFC on ESPN+ 28: Lee vs. Oliveira was the last event that had fans in attendance before the pandemic affected the UFC.
No information was given as to how limited attendance will be. According to the official Etihad Arena website, the venue has a maximum capacity of over 18,000. It is also not clear when or if tickets will be available to the public, or if seating will be selective.
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism on Thursday announced the UFC’s next three shows at the Etihad Arena, starting with UFC on ABC 1 next Saturday. There was no mention about how many total fans will be allowed inside the venue at Yas Island. That event will be followed by UFC on ESPN 20 on Wednesday, Jan. 20, and UFC 257 on Jan. 23.
@DCTAbuDhabi is to host the third instalment of UFC Fight Island on @yasisland from 16 to 24 January, welcoming a limited number of spectators to the new Etihad Arena. pic.twitter.com/ALyCyaCRrx
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) January 7, 2021
UFC kicks off its third stint on UFC ‘Fight Island’ with two pivotal main event clashes guaranteed to deliver entertainment. Coming up first, two of the best featherweights on the planet face off, as former champion and No. 1 ranked contender Max Holloway looks to earn another shot at the title by taking out No. 6 Calvin Kattar. Next, top welterweight contenders collide looking to break into the top 5 as No. 8 ranked Michael Chiesa meets No. 9 Neil Magny.
Conor McGregor marks his first appearance in the Octagon in almost a year, with his latest comeback bid starting with a rematch against the American Dustin Poirer at UFC 257, when the UFC finishes another run at ‘Fight Island’. McGregor has only competed once in the past 26 months, defeating Donald Cerrone by TKO in just 40 seconds at UFC 246 in January 2020. “The Notorious” later touted his appearance as the highest-selling UFC pay-per-view of the year.
