First there was the official poster, and now there's the first promo video for UFC 251 on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi – and Dana White is excited.
The world’s lead mixed martial arts promotion returns to the capital next month with UFC 251 kicking off a series of four events in the space of two weeks.
So PUMPED for fight island!!!! #yasisland #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/u7psP0DlV7
— danawhite (@danawhite) June 21, 2020
The inaugural Fight Island opens with a blockbuster card on July 12 UAE time, boasting three world title fights and headlined by welterweight champion Kamaru Usman defending his crown against Gilbert Burns.
In the co-main event, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski takes on former titleholder Max Holloway in a rematch of their December clash, while Peter Yan and Jose Aldo scrap for the vacant bantamweight title.
✈️ Now boarding for #UFCFightIsland
— UFC (@ufc) June 19, 2020
Your OFFICIAL #UFC251 poster has just dropped.#InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/Vnuk1Ec8Q0
Created to allow the UFC’s international fighters to compete during the coronavirus pandemic, Fight Island will take place on Yas Island and follows on from UFC 251 with events on July 15, 18 and 25.
The promo video, entitled "Can't Hold Us Down," is a nod to White's determination to get the sport back up and running amid the crisis. The UFC was the first major sport to return, when it staged UFC 249 on May 10.
White tweeted the video early Monday, with the UFC president adding: “So PUMPED for fight island!!!!”
While a one-off event, White has said that the UFC could be "going back and forth to Abu Dhabi" all the time the coronavirus limits global travel, suggesting more Fight Island shows could be on the horizon.
Fans can watch Fight Island through UFC Arabia.
