Premier mixed martial arts will return to the UAE Capital this October with a title bout scheduled, the Department of Culture and Tourism—Abu Dhabi (DCT—Abu Dhabi) and UFC announced.
UFC 281 will be held at the Etihad Arena on October 22.
Abu Dhabi Showdown Week will also take place as part of a five-year partnership.
With the UFC hosting the first full-capacity event in London this week, the return to Abu Dhabi continues the organization’s expansion following the pandemic.

The showdown week will have concerts, workshops, pool parties and city-wide events featuring some of the UFC’s biggest stars.
Fatima Al Baloushi, acting director of Abu Dhabi Events Bureau, at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “UFC and Abu Dhabi Showdown Week are massively popular and almost permanent fixtures on our Abu Dhabi Calendar. We strive to deliver the world’s best fighters and we are excited to bring yet another thrilling title bout to Abu Dhabi in October. We look forward to welcoming fans from around the world and showing them why Abu Dhabi is the ultimate UFC destination.”
UFC president Dana White can’t wait to bring another stellar line-up of fights to Abu Dhabi.
“Every time we go there the events get bigger and better, and this year we are going all out and bringing back Abu Dhabi Showdown Week in addition to more incredible fights. Fans are not going to want to miss this one.”

UFC 281 will mark the promotion’s 17th overall event in Abu Dhabi, dating back to UFC 112: Invincible in April 2010. Abu Dhabi has hosted nine title fights with three new champions crowned.