UFC Fight Night 1: Times, dates, fight card, and all you need to know ahead of Fight Island show

Calvin Kattar v Dan Ige headlines the second event in Abu Dhabi

A UFC Fight Island sign at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

An octagon on the beach for UFC Fight Island. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

UFC Fight Island branding can be seen outside Yas Links golf club. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

A UFC Fight Island sign on Yas Island. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

The setup outside Flash Forum for UFC Fight Island. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

UFC Fight Island branding can be seen outside Yas Links golf club. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

An octagon on the beach for UFC Fight Island. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

A UFC Fight Island board on Yas Island with Ferrari World in the background. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

A UFC sign lights up outside the W Hotel on Yas Island. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

A sign for UFC Fight Island placed outside W Hotel on Yas Island. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

A social distancing sign inside the W Hotel on Yas Island. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

A social distancing sign is placed on a table inside W Hotel. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

A view outside the W Hotel on Yas Island where UFC fighters will stay. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

An In Abu Dhabi sign has been placed on Yas Beach. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

A UFC sign has been placed outside the W Hotel on Yas Island. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

A view outside the W Hotel and Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

Outside seating area at the W Hotel on Yas Island. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

Outside seating area at the W Hotel on Yas Island. Courtesy DCT-Abu Dhabi

On Thursday, the UFC stages its second Fight Island event, with UFC Fight Night 1 taking place on Yas Island. Here’s the details.

What is it?

UFC Fight Night 1, the latest instalment in the world's lead mixed martial arts promotion. It follows from Sunday's hugely successful UFC 251, which opened the inaugural Fight Island. The four-show series was created by the UFC primarily to allow its international athletes to compete during the coronavirus pandemic. Abu Dhabi was announced as host on June 9.

When is it?

Thursday July 16, from 3am. Main card starts at 6am.

Where is it?

Flash Forum, which has been redesigned to stage the UFC this month. Because of the public health guidelines in place, the event takes place with no paying spectators in attendance. Flash Forum can be found inside the UFC "safe zone", an 11-kilometre stretch open only to those connected with the running of Fight Island. It is said to house around 2,000 people.

Who is fighting?

The card is topped by two in-form featherweights with designs on taking a huge step towards a title shot. Calvin Kattar, ranked sixth in the division, takes on No 10 Dan Ige. Kattar (21-4) is coming off an excellent technical-knockout victory against Jeremy Stephens at UFC 249 in May, while Ige (14-2) has won his past six, including a split decision against Edson Barboza in May. The co-main event features flyweights Tim Elliot versus Ryan Benoit.

Elsewhere, there’s substantial local interest with Dubai-based Tunisian Mounir Lazzez making his UFC debut against the returning Abdul Razak Alhassan. That tussle kicks off the main card.

Full fight card (subject to change):

Main Card

Calvin Kattar v Dan Ige

Tim Elliott v Ryan Benoit

Jimmie Rivera v Cody Stamann

Molly McCann v Taila Santos

Abdul Razak Alhassan v Mounir Lazzez

Preliminary Card

John Phillips v Khamzat Chimaev

Lerone Murphy v Ricardo Ramos

Modestas Bukauskas v Andreas Michailidas

Chris Fishgold v Jared Gordon

Diana Belbita v Liana Jojua

Aaron Phillips v Jack Shore

Kenneth Bergh v Jorge Gonzalez

How to watch?

Fight fans in the UAE can catch the early action on Abu Dhabi Sports 2, with the main card available only through the UFC Arabia app.