UFC 251: Masvidal vs Usman – Date, start time, TV channel, live stream, full card and venue for Fight Island showpiece

05.07.2020 22:44

UFC is heading to Fight Island – and it will host potentially the biggest fight of the year. Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island is the venue for UFC 251, which is one of the Emirates’ most popular leisure, shopping and entertainment destinations. In order to comply with public health regulations set out by the Emirate government, […]

UFC is heading to Fight Island – and it will host potentially the biggest fight of the year.

Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island is the venue for UFC 251, which is one of the Emirates’ most popular leisure, shopping and entertainment destinations.

Dana White has finally confirmed the location of UFC Fight Island as he announced four July shows

In order to comply with public health regulations set out by the Emirate government, DCT Abu Dhabi will create a safety zone of ten square miles of Yas Island.

It will include an arena, hotel, training facilities and dining establishments.

This zone will only be open to UFC athletes and their coaches, UFC staff and other event personnel and Yas Island employees who will be necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the facilities.

When is UFC 251?

The pay-per-view UFC spectacle will be on Saturday, July 11.

There will be no fans in attendance so the UFC doesn’t need to worry about the local timing of the event.

Gilbert Burns was originally slated to appear at the event, but was forced to pull out after testing positive for Covid-19.

But according to ESPN, following last-gasp negotiations the 35-year-old Jorge Masvidal looks to have agreed a deal with the UFC to fill in on seven days notice and finally settle the score with Usman.

Early prelims – 11pm-1am UK time / 6-8 pm ET
Prelims – 1-3am UK time / 8-10 pm ET
Main card – From 3am UK time / From 10pm ET

This will be followed by successive fight nights on Wednesday July 15, Saturday July 18 and Saturday July 25.

Yas Island includes an arena, hotel, training facilities, and dining establishments

What TV channel is UFC 251 on and can I live stream it?

BT Sport will be showing Fight Island exclusively from July 11.

The event will NOT be a pay-per-view event here in the UK, being shown on BT Sport 1.

What is the UFC 251 fight card?

The main card for UFC 251 is as follows:

Masvidal vs. Usman
Volkanovski vs. Holloway
Yan vs. Aldo
Namajunas vs. Andrade 2
VanZant vs. Ribas

What is Fight Island?

Fight Island is the name given to the island where the fights will be taking place.

UFC President Dana White said: “We came up with the idea of having fights on ‘Fight Island’ because we needed a destination to hold international events during the global pandemic.

“The infrastructure we are building will be such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the fighters that’s never been done before – from the arena, the private training facility, and the Octagon on the island – it’s going to be an experience that none of us will ever forget.”