Although MMA is not among the most popular sports in the United Arab Emirates (according to the Department of Culture and Tourism, these are football, cricket, and rally), the arrival of UFC has generated interest in the Middle East.
Not every day can you see champions like Khabib Nurmagomedov or Dustin Poirier training, the protagonists of the UFC 242. And on the middle day, the fans made themselves heard in Abu Dhabi, the venue of the event.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Dustin Poirier will headline UFC 242 from Abu Dhabi. (Photo: Getty Images/Video: MMA Fighting)
With people chanting his name, the lightweight champion had a brief face-off against Poirier. Both gave a preview of what will be seen in the official weigh-in and face-off.
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