Following through on what many thought impossible, UFC President Dana White has announced that Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is the official site of "Fight Island." The announcement of the location has been veiled, presumably as the details were worked out. Among the specifics that are now available, Yes Island is a 10-square mile/25 kilometer space. Among the facilities that will be in place for the fighters competing will include a hotel, training facilities, an arena, and dining establishments. In an appearance on ESPN, Dana White said that the fights will actually take place in an "Octagon out in the sand."
In terms of protocol, the island will be sealed off to only competing athletes, participating coaches, essential UFC staff and event personnel. The schedule of events kicks of with the July 11th Pay-Per-View event featuring the following fight card.
170 lbs.: UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns 145 lbs.: UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway
135 lbs.: Jose Aldo vs. Petr Yan for vacant bantamweight title
115 lbs.: Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas
125 lbs.: Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant
135 lbs.: Frankie Edgar vs. Pedro Munhoz
265 lbs.: Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Ciryl Gane
205 lbs.: Volkan Oezdemir vs. Jiri Prochazka
The remaining events on Fight Island are set for July 15th, 18th, and 25th. These will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+ as Fight Night events.
