UFC 112 is set for Abu Dhabi
by Zak Woods on Jan 21, 2010 9:15 AM EST
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PrintDave Meltzer spoke to Marshall Zelaznik, the UFC Managing Director of International Development, regarding the fate of the UFC's foray into Abu Dhabi and the news is positive.
"We're going to have a big press conference in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (Jan. 27th), with our new partners from the region, Flash," said Marshall Zelaznik, UFC's managing director of international expansion.
"(Zuffa CEO) Lorenzo and myself will be there with some of the biggest names on the UFC roster. I don't want to give away the official announcement, but this will be a very unique show and not just because the card itself will be as good as any in UFC history."
The show is expected to be the first outdoor UFC event in history.
Abu Dhabi is currently building a stadium for UFC 112 and there were some doubts that the emirate would be able to finish the venue in time, as the UFC held Manchester, Newcastle and Dublin as reserve locations. The construction of an outdoor arena raises several questions: How many people will it hold? What will the atmosphere be like? How much will tickets cost? Will this outdoor venue be Woodstock proof or should attendees prepare for a Bedouin party?
Flash Entertainment, a direct subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi government, recently bought a 10% share of Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC and WEC. Zuffa officials cited international expansion as one of the principle reasons for the sale, which Marshall Zelaznik expanded on when he spoke to Sherdog.
Sherdog.com: How do you think the Flash Entertainment Group acquiring a 10 percent stake in Zuffa LLC will impact upon the growth and expansion of the UFC?
Zelaznik: I think it’s going to be really impacting. I was over in Abu Dhabi last week for about three days and I got to see the operation in person. I met with a few of their key men, and I can see that they really are a top-notch group. Obviously, their relationship with the government is important. We have high hopes that with their involvement we can get the meetings internationally at the right levels.
Rumored card after the jump.
- Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort for middleweight title
- B.J. Penn vs. Frankie Edgar for lightweight title
- Matt Hughes vs. Renzo Gracie
- Mark Munoz vs. Kendall Grove
- Terry Etim vs Dennis Siver
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i dont think the outdoor fights is any huge difference. all big boxing events that were outside were just as fun of any casino fight. i dont think ufc will be any different.
some of the old cage rage rights were outdoors in hawaii right?
"Newspapermen ask dumb questions. They look up at the sun and ask if it is shining."
-Sonny Liston
@mikefareri on twitter.
not cage rage. what the hell is the old hawaii promotion called….
having a brain fart on it.
"Newspapermen ask dumb questions. They look up at the sun and ask if it is shining."
-Sonny Liston
@mikefareri on twitter.
by sonofapsycho on Jan 21, 2010 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
yes! thank you.
"Newspapermen ask dumb questions. They look up at the sun and ask if it is shining."
-Sonny Liston
@mikefareri on twitter.
by sonofapsycho on Jan 21, 2010 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
Bodog had a couple outdoor ones on the beach in Costa Rica. That would have been hella awesome, cause Costa Rica is awesome.
Costa Rica is awesome
very true
"That's an Awfully Big Mustache"-Frank Drebin
watchkalibrun.com
by Zach Krantz on Jan 21, 2010 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
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