UFC announces new partnership which will bring more live events to the Middle East

UFC Partners with Flash Entertainment to bring live events to the Middle East

Commencing with UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Nogueira, on the 11th April at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
 
UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, has today announced a major expansion into the Middle East after entering into an exclusive partnership with FLASH Entertainment, the region’s foremost live entertainment producer and promoter, to deliver live UFC events as part of a two-year agreement.

The UFC will return to the Middle East on Friday 11th April, at Abu Dhabi’s entertainment hotspot Yas Island, for the second of six Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Fight Night events to take place in 2014. The partnership will see at least five regional events staged in the next two years.

The UFC will also work to bring the hit reality sports television show, The Ultimate Fighter to the region. This will give aspiring athletes the opportunity to develop and compete for a contract with the world’s fastest-growing sports organisation.

The UFC Fight Nights will join a roster of prestigious, world class sporting events that FLASH Entertainment has staged across the region including F1, FIFA Club World Cup and ATP Tennis.

Garry Cook, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of UFC EMEA, said:

“This agreement is a major step in our strategic expansion across EMEA and, in particular, will see our audience grow dramatically across the region. There is a huge market for the UFC in the Middle East; the fans want live events and can now look forward to local tailored content in the region.

“FLASH Entertainment has worked with some of the biggest sports organisations and brands in the world and they are committed to a shared vision for delivering an unrivalled product in terms of excitement and production values to the Middle Eastern audience.”

John Lickrish, Chief Executive Officer at FLASH Entertainment, said:

“FLASH Entertainment has been proud partners of the UFC for many years, stretching back to the historic UFC 112 event in Abu Dhabi in 2010. The announcement today heralds a bright future for the millions of fight fans and practitioners alike across the Middle East and North Africa, as we work together to develop a programme of year-round UFC events. We look forward to making further announcements very soon.”

The first EMEA event of 2014 takes place in London, England on Saturday 8th March. UFC Fight Night London 2014 will see Sweden’s light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson take on England’s undefeated Jimi Manuwa in the main event at the city’s O2 Arena.

Roy Nelson vs Big Nog Headlines The UFCs Return to Abu Dhabi

Roy Nelson vs Big Nog Headlines UFCs Return to Abu Dhabi
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

The UFC will return to Abu Dhabi in April with a headline bout between heavyweights Roy Nelson and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Although a venue have yet to be confirmed, UFC Abu Dhabi is expected to take place on April 11, and is believed to be a UFC Fight Night Show which will stream on the UFC's digital network, UFC Fight Pass.

The UFC has not visited Abu Dhabi since 2010s UFC 112. The event saw Anderson Silva toy with fellow Brazilian Demian Maia over 5 rounds to defend the middleweight title in the main event, and Frankie Edgar overthrow B.J Penn to claim the UFC Lightweight title.

Currently on a 2 fight losing streak, former IFL Champion Roy Nelson (19-9 MMA, 6-5 UFCs) enters the bout looking to get back to winning ways having had a 3 fight win-streak snapped by Stipe Moicic at UFC 161. The 37-year old followed that loss up with a loss to ex-Olympian Daniel Cormier at UFC 166. The bout will mark Nelson's first time fighting outside of the US since his 2007 BodogFight bout with Mario Rinaldi.

Nogueira (34-8-1 MMA, 5-4 UFC) also 37, enters the bout having alternated wins and losses since winning the UFC interim heavyweight title in 2008. Also a former Pride champion, has not fought since June 2013s loss to Fabricio Wedrum, and with an average of 1 fight per year due to injury problems, Nogueira might find himself needing a win to remain in the UFC.

Additional bouts for UFC Abu Dhabi are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned to KingdomMMA.co.uk for all the latest news on the UFCs return to Abu Dhabi.