Fight island’s Holloway vs. Kattar rumble will mark the first time a UFC event will broadcast on ABC.
It also means the league’s return to network television, the first since UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2 aired on Fox in December of 2018.
After hosting nine events behind closed doors at the Du Forum amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the UFC will make its debut at the newly built Etihad Arena.
UFC will allow a limited number of fans inside the venue, marking the first time since UFC 248 in March of 2020 that non-essential event personnel will attend.
The venue has a maximum capacity of over 18,000, but the UFC expects to have closer to 2,000 fans for each of the Fight Island’s events.
The featherweight bout between Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar serves as the main headlining event. There are three reasons it’s a must see event.
Reason 1: UFC on ABC.
The UFC on ABC is a big deal.
ABC is one of the five major broadcast television networks in the U.S.
Three of the major networks (CBS, FOX, and NBC) aired mixed martial arts over the years, but the UFC on ABC feels more significant – and that might be due to ABC’s rich history in boxing.
Reason 2: Max Holloway
For the first time since 2016, Holloway will compete in a nontitle fight.
“The Blessed Era” ruled the featherweight division for years by accumulating three successful title defenses and a record-setting 13-fight win streak.
And…
Reason 3: The return of Joaquin Buckley
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 11: Joaquin Buckley celebrates his KO victory over Impa Kasanganay in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on October 11, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Joaquin Buckley (12-3) was one of the breakout stars of 2020.
After dropping his Octagon debut to Kevin Holland, Buckley returned in October at UFC Fight Island 5 to deliver one of the greatest knockouts of all time.
The highlight-reel knockout blew up on social media, becoming the most viewed tweet in UFC history and most-watched Instagram video ever for the UFC.
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