UFC 308 date announced for Abu Dhabi
UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi is confirmed to take place on October 26th, 2024. It will be the second event to take place in the UAE capital following UFC FIGHT NIGHT: SANDHAGEN vs NURMAGOMEDOV taking place on August 3rd. As always, this event promises to be a sell-out, making it the hottest ticket in town and a must-attend for all UFC enthusiasts.
The last numbered card in Abu Dhabi was an absolute blockbuster. Even before a fist was thrown last October, UFC 294 was packed with drama as Paolo Costa and Charles Oliveira had to pull out of their respective co-main and main showdowns due to injury. It was up to Kamaru Usman and Alexander Volkanovski to step in and face Khamzat Chimaev and Islam Makhachev at the last minute.
UFC 308’s card is still TBC at the time of writing, but we have a sneaking suspicion about who we might see. Here are a few athletes we expect to see throwing hands in October.
Islam Makhachev
The Dagestani UFC Lightweight Champion and Middle East fan favourite has a home crowd advantage at the Etihad Arena against any competitor. Makhachev is scheduled to face off against Dustin Poirier for the belt on June 1 at UFC 302. Whatever the outcome of this bout, we feel Makhachev will be on the UFC 308 card either to defend his belt or retain it from Poirier.
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira
No sooner had UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira KO’d Jamahal Hill to retain his belt at UFC 300, Russian brawler Ankalaev called for a scrap with him in Abu Dhabi on social media. With no losses in his last 12 fights, Ankalaev is the #2 ranked athlete in the division and deserves his shot. Like fellow Dagestani, Makhachev, Ankalaev is loved by the Abu Dhabi crowds. Unfortunately for him, Pereira is calling the shots, having become a two-weight champion, and a potential shot at heavyweight gold may keep “Poatan” off the card.
Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili
UFC Bantamweight Champion O’Malley has been unstoppable since his last loss to Marlon Vera in 2020. A fight against Merab Dvalishvili, the no.1 contender, will definitely happen, and there’s a good chance it could be at UFC 308. Stylistically, it will be a very interesting match-up with O’Malley sniping with his strikes from the outside and Dvalishvili, who is a grappling machine.
