Dana White on why Abu Dhabi is ‘a very special place’ for UFC as Usman Nurmagomedov waits in wings

Dana White, the UFC president, is no stranger to Abu Dhabi, having visited the emirate regularly for nearly two decades. Now, as UFC returns to Etihad Arena for UFC 333 on Saturday, White emphasizes that Abu Dhabi remains one of the most important destinations on the organization's global calendar, stating, “Abu Dhabi is a very special place to us.”

The UFC’s relationship with Abu Dhabi dates back to 2009, and the Fight Island series during the Covid-19 pandemic further strengthened the emirate’s place in the organisation’s history. White fondly recalls those times, saying, “Fight Island was really special for us... There’s always going to be a special place in our hearts here at the UFC for Abu Dhabi.”

The upcoming event features a stacked card with two title fights, generating excitement among fans. Although Etihad Arena is sold out, White managed to secure a few extra tickets for an eager young Emirati fan who offered to let White shave his head in exchange for tickets. White believes that Abu Dhabi’s allure extends beyond the fights themselves, citing the city’s hotels, restaurants, and other attractions as part of the appeal.

During the pandemic, the UFC’s business grew by 77 percent in Abu Dhabi, playing a crucial role in keeping mixed martial arts alive. The president attributes this growth to a strong connection between the UFC, its fighters, and the UAE capital, emphasizing that relationships are based on how one reacts when faced with adversity.

The relationship between the UFC and Abu Dhabi has also survived some challenging moments, such as the no-contest finish in the recent UFC 321 event, where the main event turned into a disappointing spectacle. Despite this setback, White maintains that the relationship has remained resilient, saying, “Relationships are based on how do you react when bad things happen? And Abu Dhabi’s been very good to us, and we reciprocate.”