Abu Dhabi-based promotion UAE Warriors has announced it has moved its upcoming two events in February to the Emirate’s brand new Etihad Arena.
The state-of-the-art facility, situated on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, opened in 2021 and has become the new home of the UFC in the Middle East following the promotion’s stint on “Fight Island,” with the most recent UFC event seeing Brazil’s Glover Teixeira defeat Poland’s Jan Blachowicz to capture the UFC light heavyweight title.
And now UAE Warriors will take up residency at the 18,000-seat arena for UAE Warriors 25: Africa, and UAE Warriors 26: Arabia events, which are scheduled to take place on Friday, February 25 and Saturday, February 26, respectively.
The promotion, which earned a nomination for “MMA Promotion of the Year” at Fighters Only’s World MMA Awards, continues to grow and has launched the UAE Warriors: Arabia series to help showcase local emerging talent from the region. Its UAE Warriors: Africa show represents the start of another new series as the promotion looks to repeat the formula with African athletes.
UAE Warriors 25: Africa is set to feature fighters from more than 15 African nations, with Tunisia’s Wisem Hammami taking on Angola’s Shido Soto in the main event. The following night, UAE Warriors 26: Arabia features a card packed with local talent, with Jordan’s Izzeddine Al Derbani vs. Lebanon’s Youssef Ghrairi set to headline the event.
The two events will be streamed live worldwide on UFC Fight Pass.