In anticipation of the historic upcoming UFC Fight Island series of events, we wanted to provide a comprehensive guide covering all of the potential media assets and needs you may require to support your coverage in the lead up to, and throughout, the four thrilling cards set to take place over the 14-day experience
About 630 UFC staff members, athletes, corners, and contractors will travel to Abu Dhabi to make the dream of Fight Island a reality
“The infrastructure we’ve put in place on Fight Island has created a once-on-a-lifetime experience for everyone,” said UFC president Dana White. “From the Octagon on the beach, the private training facility, designated UFC safety zone, first-class restaurants and the incredible arena, this is truly a destination that only could have been imagined.”
Surrounded by crystal-clear waters and dotted with some of Abu Dhabi’s most iconic landmarks, Yas Island is home to one-of-a-kind experiences that are bound to invigorate all the sense and create memories that will last a lifetime. From family friendly theme parks to a thrilling F1 race track, an award-winning gold course to world-class shopping and unparalleled hospitality, this unique holiday destination provides a complete and unforgettable experience to all its visitors.
About Yas Island
♦ Yas Island itself spans an area of 9.6 square miles
♦ Yas Island was born in 2009, as an island off the Abu Dhabi coast
♦ Yas Island is no stranger to international events. Home of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the island has hosted everything from boxing events and Broadway shows to Beyoncé
♦ Yas Island is a destination like nowhere else with a collection of world-class, world-first, world-only attractions, making it a premier leisure and entertainment hub
♦ Warner Bros World, Ferrari World, Yas WaterWorld and Yas Marina Circuit are just a few of the attractions located on Yas Island, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches
About the ‘Safe Zone’ aka UFC Fight Island
♦ A 11km stretch of Yas Island will be lockdown, with borders and police checkpoints, allowing no entry to Abu Dhabi residents. 2,500+ UFC personnel, event staff and Yas Island employees will be housed within the safe zone through the period of the event, to ensure the safety of all
♦ All Abu Dhabi staff undertook a 14-day hotel room isolation and achieved three negative COVID-19 tests to ensure the safest possible environment for all
♦ The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi aims to set the standard for sports and entertainment safety in a post-COVID world with this safe zone concept
♦ This safe area known as UFC Fight Island also includes Yas Marina Circuit (F1 track), Yas Links (golf course) and Yas Beach as well as a selection of 3-5* hotels
Entertainment features included within the UFC safety zone:
♦ (1) Yas Beach
· Includes kayaking and all-day dining at Yas Beach Restaurant
♦ (2) Yas Links
· #1 ranked course in the Middle East
· #46 ranked course in the world by Golf Digest
♦ (3) Flash Forum
♦ (4) Yas Marina Curcuit
· 5.5km in length
· 21 corners and a 1,140m straight
· Only F1 track in the world to run through a hotel (W hotel)
♦ More than a dozen dining establishments
♦ Accommodations included within the UFC safety zone:
♦ (5) W Hotel Abu Dhabi
♦ (6) Crown Plaza Abu Dhabi
♦ (7) Staybridge Suite Abu Dhabi
♦ (8) Park Inn by Radisson Abu Dhabi
♦ (9) Radisson Blue Hotel Abu Dhabi
♦ (10) Yas Island Rotana
♦ (11) Centro Yas Island
HEALTH & SAFETY
Health and safety will be paramount on Yas Island, as it has been for every UFC event since the return to action in early May. Both UFC and Abu Dhabi have worked closely with government entities in the UAE to make sure we are able to deliver the events in the safest and most efficient way possible, all while adhering to the government’s strict safety measures
Please find the link to b-roll for the safety preparations and testing and here procedures here and here
Safety Measures
♦ Three medical facilities and 17 medical personnel in the safe zone.
♦ Over 2000 COVID-19 tests performed on FIGHT ISLAND staff / workers in June
♦ Approximately 3,300 pre-departure and on-site COVID-19 antigen tests planned for UFC athletes and event personnel
♦ UFC athletes, staff, and event personnel may be subject to at least 5 COVID-19 tests:
♦ 1 test pre-departure to Abu Dhabi
♦ 1 at the airport upon arrival in Abu Dhabi
♦ 1 at the hotel upon check in followed by a 48-hour quarantine period
♦ 1 test prior to the event
♦ 1 test post-event pre-departure from Abu Dhabi
♦ All FIGHT ISLAND attendees must stay within the Safe Zone, which is closed to the public.
♦ Face coverings must be worn at all times in public.
♦ Social distancing will be enforced at all times (6 feet / 2 meters).
♦ 24-48 hour quarantine required upon arrival.
♦ Nightly temperature screenings for fever.
About Flash Forum
♦ Flash Forum is well placed to host UFC Fight Island due to its reduced size, technical set-up and location within the locked-off ‘safe zone’
♦ Flash Forum has welcomed some of the biggest events and concerts in the Emirates over the past 10 years, including concerts by music icons Prince and Dua Lipa through to sporting events such as the Muay Thai Championship in 2018
♦ Fighters will benefit from a powerful inbuilt air conditioning system which ensures year-round comfort for events, with Flash Forum itself just a short walk from hotels hosting all UFC personnel and event staff
♦ Adaptations to the venue for UFC and COVID-19 regulations include the addition of ‘mist tunnels’ on entry which will kill 99% of surface bacteria, removal of all communal areas, like crowd seating and food facilities, and the implementation of the famous Octagon.
♦ Flash Forum is one of many venues on Yas Island to choose from, reinforcing its reputation as the leading entertainment hub in the region