BREAKING: UFC returning to Abu Dhabi in October
The UFC has officially confirmed that they're heading back to Abu Dhabi in October for UFC 294 later this year.
The card, which will take place on October 21, is almost a year-on from their last major pay-per-view which saw Islam Makhachev defeat Charles Oliveira to become the lightweight champion at UFC 280.
The previously stacked Abu Dhabi card also featured Aljamain Sterling successfully defending his title against the returning T.J. Dillashaw and Sean O'Malley, who stunned MMA fans with his split-decision victory over Petr Yan.
ISLAM MAKHACHEV SUBMITS OLIVEIRA AND IS THE NEW LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION! 😱😱😱😱 #UFC280 https://t.co/QiG9iabAzb
The success of 'Fight Island' in October last year has meant it's no surprise the organization has been pushing for a return date. UFC 280 was attended by over 13,000 fans at the Etihad Arena and assumed to be a financial success, despite the gate information being withheld.
The UFC confirmed their plans to head back to Abu Dhabi on Twitter, where fans could also pre-register their interest in tickets for the PPV. They wrote:
"It's official - we're headed back to Abu Dhabi in October for #UFC294!! Register your interest: http://UFC.ac/AbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi"
It's official - we're headed back to Abu Dhabi in October for #UFC294!!
🎟 Register your interest: UFC.ac/AbuDhabi
@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi https://t.co/8WWqhPlaLh
No official bouts have been confirmed on the card yet, but due to the major success of its predecessor, it's expected to feature title fights and a host of exciting match-ups.
UFC star Conor McGregor promises Nate Diaz trilogy
Conor McGregor assured fans that he and Nate Diaz will meet in the octagon for a third time to settle their trilogy.
The Stockton-born fighter shocked the world when he defeated 'The Notorious' in March 2016 after stepping in as a late replacement for Rafael dos Anjos. The Irishman got his own back when they rematched months later, meaning they are currently 1 and 1 in the head-to-head.
In an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani this week, the former UFC double champion confirmed that he's still planning on completing the trilogy with Diaz. According to McGregor, he was originally supposed to be coaching against Nate Diaz on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), but despite it not working out that way, is still open to fighting him once again:
"The Ultimate Fighter just kind of presented itself, it was originally to be against Nate. It was me versus Nate... No [I wasn't disappointed that Diaz isn't opposing me on TUF], I'll get that again.
He added:
"That trilogy will happen at some stage for sure... We must fight. We're one apiece, it's a great rivalry, and it was a great fight, so we gotta square that away for sure... Am I a person not to get the fights made and done and happen? Look at all the fights I've had. When I say it, it happens."
Catch Conor McGregor's comments here (5:00):