UFC returns to Abu Dhabi July 25

UFC has set its next Abu Dhabi date for Saturday, July 25, adding another Fight Night at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The promotion announced the event on May 18 with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, continuing a partnership that has made the UAE capital one of UFC’s regular international stops. UFC’s event schedule and tickets pages both list the card for July 25, though no bouts had been announced as of May 19. ### Who confirmed the event, and what exactly was announced? UFC said in its announcement that “UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi” will take place on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The statement was issued jointly with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, which has partnered with the promotion on repeated events in the emirate. (jp.ufc.com) Abu Dhabi’s media office published the same date and venue details, describing the show as a return to the region for a live event at Etihad Arena. The announcement did not include a main event, featured bout or full card. (jp.ufc.com) ### Why is Etihad Arena the expected site for this card? Etihad Arena is already listed by UFC as the venue for its July 25 event on the company’s official tickets page. On that page, the promotion shows the location as “Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates,” with tickets marked “Not Available” as of May 19. UFC has used the same building for previous Abu Dhabi shows. (mediaoffice.abudhabi) Its official weigh-in page for last year’s Abu Dhabi Fight Night said UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. de Ridder took place at Etihad Arena on July 26, 2025. ### How does this fit on UFC’s summer schedule? UFC’s official events page places the Abu Dhabi Fight Night one week after a July 18 event in Oklahoma City and one week before an Aug. 1 card in Belgrade. (ufc.com) The July 25 listing appears as a standard Fight Night event rather than a numbered pay-per-view. The official tickets page also shows the July 25 show with a listed main-card start time of 6:00 p.m. (ufc.com) EDT, reflecting the event’s placement on UFC’s global calendar even before matchups are announced. ### What is still missing from the announcement? No fighters had been attached to the card in UFC’s May 18 announcement or on the company’s event pages by May 19. (ufc.com) UFC also had not opened ticket sales, and the official listing still showed both corners as “TBD vs TBD.” Business Wire, carrying the same announcement text, said UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi were promoting the event as a “blockbuster Fight Night,” but it likewise did not identify any scheduled bout. (ufc.com) ### Where should fans watch for the next update? (jp.ufc.com) UFC’s official event schedule and tickets pages are the clearest next checkpoints for bout announcements and ticket releases. As of Tuesday, May 19, both pages listed the July 25 Abu Dhabi event, but neither included a fight card. July 25 is now fixed on the calendar at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. (businesswire.com) The next concrete step is the release of the matchup list and ticket-sale details by UFC and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. (jp.ufc.com) (ufc.com)