UFC 112 In Abu Dhabi Official, To Be Held In A Ferrari
Yes, you read the headline correctly, UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi will be held in a Ferrari, rather, Ferrari World (yes, that is what it looks like in the picture above). The UFC put out a press release on their website this morning announcing their first event in the Middle East which will be headlined by…. drum roll, please…. Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort and B.J. Penn vs. Frankie Edgar. This would be surprising if these fights weren’t being leaked for the past couple of months now:
The world’s greatest indoor sporting event goes outdoors on April 10 as the Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization lands in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for the first time.
Some of the world’s greatest mixed martial artists will appear on the historic open-air UFC 112 event at the Concert Arena, Ferrari World, Yas Island.
Topped by a double main event, two UFC world titles will be on the line at UFC 112. First, UFC lightweight champion BJ ‘The Prodigy’ Penn puts his belt on the line against No.1 contender Frankie ‘The Answer’ Edgar and then UFC middleweight king Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva defends his crown against fellow Brazilian striker Vitor ‘The Phenom’ Belfort.
As well as two fascinating UFC title clashes, the UFC’s first venture into the region will also showcase an intriguing battle of legends as UFC icon Matt Hughes locks horns with MMA pioneer and Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Renzo Gracie at welterweight.
UFC President Dana White said: “This is one of the biggest and most significant nights in the history of the UFC. UFC 112 is our first ever outdoor event and it is taking place in the hometown of our brand new partners, Flash Entertainment. We are very happy we could deliver what fans around the world will recognize as a stacked card featuring the sport’s biggest stars.”
“Anderson Silva is back in the Octagon(TM), and back at 185lbs to defend his belt against maybe the one guy he may want to take the fight to the ground with. Vitor Belfort has recaptured the form which saw him rip through heavyweights and light heavyweights a decade ago, and Silva vs Belfort is one of those fights where, if there was a roof for this event, it would come off just before the start of the first round.”
“BJ Penn is another UFC champion who is looking unstoppable right now, but Frankie Edgar is improving so quickly and has such an attacking style that he may be the guy to end BJ’s reign.
“Plus, Matt Hughes vs Renzo Gracie is a clash between two legends who each have a lot on the line in this fight. The winner adds another great name to his list of victims and gets right into the title hunt.”
John Lickrish, Managing Director of Flash Entertainment, said: “UFC 112 is going to be incredible. Flash and the UFC have been working very hard to bring this event to fruition, and we’re delighted to now announce what will truly be a great night of sport in Abu Dhabi.
“Abu Dhabi has a long tradition of mixed martial arts, and hosting UFC 112 continues the country’s love and passion for the sport. We really can’t wait to welcome these elite athletes, and showcase a truly magnificent sport to the people of the region.”
Here is how UFC 112 is shaping up.
- Champ Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort (for middleweight title)
- Champ B.J. Penn vs. Frankie Edgar (for lightweight title)
- Matt Hughes vs. Renzo Gracie
- Kendall Grove vs. Mark Munoz
- Rafael dos Anjos vs. Terry Etim
- DaMarques Johnson vs. TBA
