UFC 267 officially set for October 30th. in Abu Dhabi, non-PPV event to air on ABC Network

UFC 267
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Set for a return to Abu Dhabi, UAE — the UFC will land its Octagon on ‘Fight Island’ for the second time this year — with UFC 267 on October 30. set to feature at the Etihad Arena.

The non-PPV event, which is set to host a championship doubleheader to round out the showcase, will be a non-PPV event in North America and is set to be aired live on the ABC network. The promotion first aired an event on the ABC network in January of this year for UFC on ABC 1, as well as a UFC on ABC 2 event in April.

The organization began featuring events on ‘Fight Island’ in July of last year amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, hosting a quarter of cards in Abu Dhabi, UAE — including three Fight Night billed cards and a UFC 251 pay-per-view event. 

In October, the promotion returned with another PPV event; UFC 254 which featured a lightweight title unification clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje — as well as a pair of Fight Night events.

Then earlier this year in January, the Octagon once more landed in the Middle East — with UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor 2 landing, as well as another pair of Fight Night billed events.

In a statement released by UFC president, Dana White, the long time promotional leader noted his admiration for the people of Abu Dhabi and how he was working on multiple deals with the region.

We (the UFC) are going back to Abu Dhabi (, UAE) in October,” White said. “Abu Dhabi is incredible — I love that place and the people. I have been talking about all of the things we are working on. I plan on getting all the deals buttoned up this summer. I can’t wait to gt back and share everything we are working on together.

Whilst not officially announced by the organization, a light heavyweight title fight between reigning gold holder, Jan Blachowicz and challenger, Glover Teixeira has been reported for the event.

In the co-headlining bout, a bantamweight title rematch between defending champion, Aljamain Sterling and former champion, Petr Yan has also been reported. The bout is a rematch of a bantamweight title clash back in March at UFC 259 when Yan dropped the title due to a fourth round disqualification as a result of an illegal knee.Â