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UFC set to make its debut in Qatar with Fight Night event in November

TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 11, 2025, 00:02 IST

Highlight of the story: UFC is set to make its Qatar debut on November 22 at ABHA Arena in Doha, marking its third venture in the Middle East after the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Following a successful event in Baku, Azerbaijan, UFC President Dana White highlighted Qatar's growing sports hub status.




The UFC will host its first-ever Fight Night event in Qatar on November 22, marking another major step in the promotion’s international expansion. The event will take place at ABHA Arena in Doha, making Qatar the third Middle Eastern country to host a UFC card, after the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
This announcement comes on the heels of the UFC’s successful debut in Baku, Azerbaijan, in June, further demonstrating the organization’s intent to strengthen its presence in the region. UFC President Dana White confirmed the news, emphasizing Qatar’s status as a growing hub for major international sports.
While the official fight card for the Doha event is yet to be announced, top-ranked talent is expected to feature. The announcement underscores the UFC's strategy of leveraging the Middle East’s growing enthusiasm for combat sports.
Middle East: A key region in UFC’s global push
Abu Dhabi has long been a mainstay for the UFC, most notably hosting the ‘Fight Island’ events during the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains a cornerstone in the organization’s international calendar.Saudi Arabia joined the fold more recently, hosting two UFC Fight Night events in Riyadh, including the February 2025 card where Nassourdine Imavov delivered a stunning knockout of Israel Adesanya at UFC Fight Night 250.Before the Qatar debut, the UFC will return to the region on July 26 for UFC on ABC 9, headlined by a middleweight bout between former champion Robert Whittaker and two-division ONE FC champion Reinier de Ridder at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
With its entry into Qatar, the UFC continues to expand its global footprint and engage new fan bases, reinforcing the Middle East as a central hub in its long-term strategy.