Abu Dhabi Media - a multi-platform media and entertainment organization - just released UFC Arabia, the first application in Arabic dedicated to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
The application allows fans from 21 Arab countries to live-stream fights, get constant live updates, as well as watch a plethora of previous fights. UFC Arabia can be downloaded for free through the App Store and Google Play Store, and will soon be available on multiple platforms such as the web and smart TVs.
In support of this new app, UFC's Senior Vice President, International and Content, David Shaw, said:
"We are committed to growing this sport across the region and the new app will help us achieve this common goal."
In order to benefit fully from the application, fans are given two different subscription options following a 30-day free trial period.
The first subscription is monthly and costs $4.99, while the second is yearly with a $49.99 price tag; both give users the choice to alternate between English and Arabic.
"We are very excited to welcome back UFC to Abu Dhabi through the launch of this first Arabic language streaming platform, UFC Arabia," said Abdulrahman Awadh Al Harthi, executive director of television at Abu Dhabi Media.
Although the application is considered big news, its launch was not without hiccups. Some users faced technical issues such as failing to subscribe and not finding an adequate home address.
But others are enjoying UFC Arabia, saying the app "looks good" and functions just fine.
UFC 242 returns to the UAE's capital Abu Dhabi on Sept. 7 as Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov competes against American Dustin Poirier — five years after its last event in the city.
This is part of a five-year plan organized by UFC to garner new fans and recruit new fighters in the Arab region. The UAE happens to be the first location as it had previously hosted two UFC 242 events — in 2010 and 2014.
Tickets for UFC 242 will roll out soon; keep an eye out on the website and sign-up for a pre-sale code.
