Abu Dhabi to host UFC Fight Night on April 11

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event makes a return to Abu Dhabi after four years with the UFC Fight Night.

Back in April 11, 2010, the UFC had made its Middle Eastern debut with the Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC 112 Invincible. And this time, the event makes a comeback with an impressive fight card with six new fights announced for the second Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Fight Night. The Fight Night will be held on April 11 at the du Arena at Yas Island, in what should be a fighting Friday.

Headlining the night will be former interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira (34-8-1, 1 NC, in professional MMA) aka “Big Nog,” fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who will battle Roy “Big Country” Nelson, (20-9), fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada), in the UFC Octagon—the eight-sided ring with the chain link fence, in a five-round fight. The winner will catapult back into the elite of the division.

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace and legend of the sport, Nogueira has notable wins over former UFC champions Ricco Rodriguez, Josh Barnett, Tim Sylvia and Randy Couture. Nogueira said that Jiu-JItsu has helped him become a better fighter. “I started doing Jiu-Jitsu, I felt a lot more confident. I became more athletic and have also improved in grappling. If I have got my submission game 100 percent, then I’m confident and I will be doing lot of Jiu-Jitsu tactics during this clash,” said Noguiera.

Tenth-ranked Nelson, a fan favourite, stormed onto the UFC scene by winning The Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights tournament in 2009 and has garnered an impressive four Knock Out of the Night bonuses since.

Nelson said that fans who love boxing, have now become fans of the UFC. “When I started, 14 years ago, nobody knew me and now everyone knows my name. The sport has grown to the point, what boxing did from the 60s to the late 80s with Mike Tyson. UFC has grown that way and when boxing fans watch, they are like ‘Oh! they actually box.’

Doors open on fight night at 5pm with the first bout slated for 6pm.