The highly anticipated UFC Abu Dhabi card is all set for October 26, 2024. Recently, UFC CEO Dana White announced the full stacked card. Interestingly, the UFC officials also announced that the UFC 308 fight will be held in prime time in Abu Dhabi. This announcement sparked a backlash from the fans.
During the recent UFC 304 event, the UFC scheduled the fights at unusual hours. The early prelims kicked off at 12 midnight, with the main card concluding around 6 in the morning. This decision sparked frustration among UK fans and fighters, as it disrupted their sleep schedules and caused inconvenience.
Surprisingly, the upcoming UFC 308 event in Abu Dhabi will not follow the standard fight schedule. UFC executive David Shaw recently announced that the event will be held during primetime in Abu Dhabi. When questioned about the unusual fight hours of UFC 304, Shaw explained that the UFC aims to strike a balance between hosting events during prime time in the US and off-peak hours.
The UFC executive also cited the success of previous events, such as Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson, which took place during non-traditional fighting hours, as a reason for confidence in the upcoming event’s schedule. However, the UK fight fans think otherwise.
Fight fans lashed out upon hearing UFC 308 fight card timing
The UFC Abu Dhabi card is a highly anticipated fight card as it features some of the top fighters on the roster. The card is always stacked with prominent middle east fighters. The UFC Abu Dhabi cards get the benefit of putting on events for the oil-rich UAE officials. As such, high-profile PPVs featured Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliviera in the region.
UFC CEO Dana White with Saudi Delegates (Image via The National)However, this year, Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway will headline the main event, followed by several top fighters like Khamzat Chimaev and Magomed Ankalaev, in the card. Many fight fans have seemingly liked the idea of a primetime card, saying it will be a promising event. Check out some of the reactions below.
Oil Money doesn’t talk….it screams.
— Tipsy Elmo (@TipsyElmo) August 3, 2024
Hahahaha you don’t contradict the Arabs not even Dana 😁
But England? Fck england 😂😂😂
— GORLOCK (@Beracouncilooor) August 3, 2024
That’s crazy! I wonder why they’re doing it a primetime for the local time. Wonder if it has to do with athletic performance hmm… Because surely if they made it primetime for America the fighters would be tired and fatigued by the time they fight. What a crazy thought
— bailey (@koreanjesus02) August 3, 2024
The arabs have Dana on a leash it’s crazy
— Long John Silver (@Smega_Goblin) August 4, 2024
The UAE is the worst thing to ever happen to the UFC.
— Legs Benedict (@YearOfThePen) August 4, 2024
Shame last week wasn’t
— DanOBᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠ (@DanOBFFC) August 3, 2024
Damn us Aussies got another early one 😭
— Basant (@mixedmartialhea) August 4, 2024
Yessss don’t have to wait until 12pm
— ✝️ (@3Kannon3) August 4, 2024
This guy said a lot of words but went no where. Just say that the UFC are sucking the Saudi’s willies off and be done with it. Stop bullshiting your fans you embarrassing wanker.
— 🥷🏽 Zack 🥷🏽 (@ZackP1ngu) August 4, 2024
No he’s lying he just couldn’t do it on USA time cos sheik outright said no. They got funding from Riyadh season and mr sheik and he won’t let them have it on USA time so USA people suffer and Saudi watch it at a time that sheikh deems good. Which I like since they fucked the UK
— W (@GBM24___) August 4, 2024
Interestingly, most fans are somewhat furious, referencing Dana White‘s connection with the UAE Delegates. Whereas, a portion of fans bashed out for being unfair to the UK fans where they had to watch the fight at an unusual time. Despite the backlash, the UK PPV card will continue to face similar timing problems in the future.
