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Nine years after the sport made a fantastic entry into the UAE and five years it was last held here, the ever-popular Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) could make a return with a fight headlining lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The Russian fighter indicated that he could quite possibly face off against Dustin Poirier after the American became interim champion by defeating compatriot and defending featherweight world champion Max Holloway, earlier this month.
Although there has been no confirmation regarding this blockbuster fight from the UFC, Nurmagomedov, nicknamed 'The Eagle,' said that talks were underway for it to happen in the UAE capital on September 7.
"UFC told me they are working on this. And very soon news is coming. Very soon," Nurmagomedov was quoted as saying earlier this month.
The 30-year-old, who is undefeated with 27 victories under his name, is eager to have a crack at Poirier, who beat Holloway by unanimous decision at UFC 236 in Altanta, Georgia on April 13.
The fight, titled 'UFC 241,' could be held at the du Arena in Yas Island. The Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) has indicated that it was open to host the fight.
"He's the interim UFC lightweight champion, I'm the real lightweight champion, we have to fight. Now we're working on this," Nurmagomedov told ESPN+ after watching his countryman and teammate Islam Makhachev win at an UFC event in St.Petersburg few days ago.
"I think I have to maul him, like I do with everybody. This is what I have to do. I respect him as a fighter, as a human, but when we go to the cage, I have to maul this guy. This is what I want. Right now I'm focusing on September, five months before the fight, and I think it's going to be a very good fight with him," he added.
Nurmagomedov last fought Conor McGregor, beating the Irishman by submission (neck crank) in UFC 229 in Las Vegas, last October, to defend his title.
Meanwhile, Poirier, who has a 25-5 record, was bullish about his chances against Nurmagomedov.
"I can beat anybody. I just have to show up prepared and ready to go and I will make holes that are not there. I can make holes happen. Nobody is perfect," Poirer, nicknamed 'The Diamond,' told ESPN on Tuesday.
The UFC made its Middle Eastern debut with the Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC 112 Invincible on April 11, 2010.
The second time it was held was in 2014 with it titled 'UFC Fight Night. Headlining that night was former interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira aka "Big Nog," who battled Roy "Big Country" Nelson.
