Abu Dhabi Showdown Week once again lived up to its billing and delivered a sensational week of sport, entertainment, intrigue, and excitement as the UAE capital’s hotly anticipated annual showcase entered a new era, firmly cementing Abu Dhabi’s status as the international home of combat sports.
This year’s edition, which culminated in an enthralling UFC 294 at a packed Etihad Arena on Saturday, October 21, was the final event in a strategic five-year partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) and UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation.
Such has been the success of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week and the partnership that a new agreement was announced last week to guarantee the event for another five years. With the week-long festival now firmly fixed in the calendar until 2028, the latest edition was a barometer for why this has been such a successful partnership.
Official UFC Open Workouts, Press Conference, and Ceremonial Weigh-ins all featuring the world-renowned stars of UFC 294: MAKHACHEV vs VOLKANOVSKI 2 provided fans an unparalleled opportunity to engage with their favourite athletes before fight night. The week also featured two bespoke UFC Fan Experiences at Yas Mall and Yas Bay, which offered fight fans access to immersive activations and the chance to test their reflexes, speed, and strength.
Simultaneously, the week included high-profile performances from British pop legend Robbie Williams and comedy star Andrew Schultz, and, while the inaugural Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship added another exciting addition to activities, the latest edition of UAE Warriors, shed light on the UAE’s leading MMA stars.
For UFC 294, a raucous, packed Etihad Arena crowd was treated to an evening of world-class MMA action, with Islam Makhachev defending his lightweight championship belt in dominant fashion in the main event, knocking out Alexander Volkanovski with a head kick midway through the first round.
Asked about the partnership extension, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that more fights will be coming to the Middle East as part of the agreement.
“We’re partners with DCT Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi so we’re talking to a lot of different people in the region here and we are going to bring fight nights everywhere, he said, adding that as well as a confirmed fight night in Saudi Arabia, talks were ongoing with Egypt, Qatar, and various other countries in the region. “But Abu Dhabi will always be home – I’m never leaving Abu Dhabi.”
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General, Tourism Sector, DCT Abu Dhabi, added: “The 2023 edition really signified what Abu Dhabi Showdown Week has evolved into: A true festival of sport and entertainment. We are happy to say Abu Dhabi once again delivered and showed why it is highly regarded as a host of major international events. Our partnership with UFC has grown from strength to strength and we look forward to building on that as we enter an exciting new phase of relationship.”
Main event champion Makhachev of Russia was full of praise for the support he received from fans within his “second home.”
“Abu Dhabi is my territory, and I’m always grateful for the support from people who come not only from Russia, but from all around the world. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude.”
Regarding the pressure of defending his lightweight title, Makhachev added, “I’ve been in this sport for over 15 years, and I have a strong experience. The support from the crowd in Abu Dhabi feels like home to me, so I don’t feel any pressure.”
In the co-main event, Khamzat Chimaev took a step closer to securing a middleweight title shot, as he secured a majority decision victory over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman to take his undefeated record to 13 successive wins.
Another exciting fighter to maintain an unbeaten record was Muhammad Mokaev, who secured a third-round win in his flyweight matchup with Tim Elliott by applying an arm-triangle choke submission.
“I’m truly grateful for the incredible crowd I had the honour to fight in front of, here in Abu Dhabi,” said Mokaev. “Fans from the UK, Russia, and all around the world came to witness today’s event. It felt like I was in my own garden. I strongly believe that I’ve earned my shot at a title fight, and if not me, then who else? I’m eagerly looking forward to fighting in Abu Dhabi again in the future and coming for an extended stay.”
With thousands of fans travelling from all corners of the globe and global celebrities such as footballers Kevin De Bruyne and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, TV personality Steve Harvey, and Hollywood actor Steven Seagal among others, all in attendance, Abu Dhabi Showdown Week proved itself an unmissable, ever-growing event once again.
Abu Dhabi Showdown Week will return in 2024.
COMMENTS