Music legends, beach parties, muscle shows and one epic UFC fight night – here’s a rundown of everything going on during Abu Dhabi Showdown Week

In case you hadn’t heard, one of the most exciting UFC fights in history is about to take place in the capital on Saturday September 7 when current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champion Dustin Poirier face off for UFC242 in the brand-new purpose-built arena on Yas Island. To get visitors and residents pumped for the headline fixture, Abu Dhabi Showdown Week is hosting a series of events, mega concerts and parties leading up to the big fight. Here’s your guide to what’s happening around town…

The parties

September 1 to 7: Week-long Cabana brunch

The Abu Dhabi EDITION is hosting a poolside brunch every afternoon, between Sunday September 1 and Saturday September 7, with Mediterranean light bites including freshly baked pizza and mini sliders on the menu. Brunch packages cost Dhs200 and are valid for a total of 3 hours between the hours of noon and 6pm.
The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Sun to Sat September 1 to 7, Dhs200, noon to 6pm. Check out their website for more details.

September 2 and 3: Ladies’ days at Saadiyat Beach Club

Saadiyat Beach Club has extended its ladies’ day an extra day especially for Abu Dhabi Showdown Week. For Dhs150, ladies receive free flowing drinks from 11am to 3pm on Monday and Tuesday September 2 and 3 at this swanky beach club. Expect chic pool party vibes, live entertainment and DJs. Entry for gents is Dhs200.
Saadiyat Beach Club, Mon and Tue September 2 and 3, from 11am, For more info 02 656 3500 or saadiyatbeachclub.ae

September 4 and 5: Concert after-parties at Mad nightclub

Yas Island’s super club MAD hosts the official after-parties for both concerts, with BIZAAR by Mad running the Chili Peppers after-party shindig on Wednesday September 4, and Drai’s Las Vegas taking over the club the following night on Thursday September 5.
Mad on Yas Island, Wed September 4 and Thur September 5. madonyasisland.com

September 5: Rain party at ALOFT

Head for the capital’s biggest pool party on Thursday September 5 with top UAE DJs spinning the decks and several food and drinks deals on offer. It’s free entry for ladies and airline crew with valid ID, and Dhs100 for gents.
Aloft Abu Dhabi, ADNEC, Thursday September 5, 8pm. Check out their website for more details.

September 6: Showdown party at ANNEX

On Friday September 6, from 10pm until 4am, Annex pays homage to the Abu Dhabi Showdown week, with its very own ‘Showdown’ where anyone willing to dress up as a ring girl receives free flow bubbles until 1am.
The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Fri September 6, 10pm, free entrance. Check out their website for more details.

September 7: Fight night viewing party at Saadiyat Beach Club

If you haven’t been able to grab a UFC ticket, catch the fights on a huge outdoor screen while cooling off in the pool at Saadiyat Beach Club instead. The night kicks off at 5pm, with free flowing drinks from 5pm to 8pm for Dhs250 (gents) and Dhs200 (ladies).
Saadiyat Beach Club, Sat September 7, 5pm, saadiyatbeachclub.ae

The concerts

September 4: Red Hot Chili Peppers 

The legendary four-piece rock band are set to perform on Wednesday September 4 at The Arena.  They guys were last in the Middle East in March, when they performed an iconic gig in front of Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza. The band is expected to play a set comprising of a selection of tracks such as Dark Necessities lifted from their current and eleventh studio album, The Getaway, plus greatest hits and classic album tracks such as, By the Way, Can’t Stop, Snow (Hey Oh), Otherside, Californication, Under The Bridge and Give It Away. Tickets are selling out fast.
The Arena, Yas Island, Wed September 4, Dhs250. adshowdownweek.ae

September 5: [Undisclosed]

A second artist will also be part of the line-up and will take to the stage on Thursday September 5. When we know, you’ll know…

The fitness events

September 5 to 7: Abu Dhabi Sports & Fitness Expo

Discover the latest trends in fitness technology and performance-boosting products as the world’s biggest names in sports and well-being descend on the capital for the Abu Dhabi Sports & Fitness Expo 2019. Rock up in your active wear to take part in Zumba, group fitness and yoga masterclasses, or watch the pros in action, including fitness celebrities such as four times Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler and Mr. Universe, Mike O’Hearn in live fitness shows.
Du Forum, Abu Dhabi. Thur September 5 from 3pm, Fri to Sat September 6 and 7, from 10am. tickets start at Dhs50. universalmusclefitnessandfashion.club

The deals

Elsewhere, hotels and dining destinations on Yas Island and Saadiyat Island will be preparing their own culinary offerings as part of a value-add culinary promotion exclusively for Abu Dhabi Showdown Week.

Plus, selected malls, including Abu Dhabi Mall, Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Dalma Mall, Deerfields Mall, Madinat Zayed, Mazyad Mall, WTC Abu Dhabi and Yas Mall, as well as Al Ain Mall, Bawadi Mall and Hili Mall in Al Ain are offering ‘Knockout Deals’ with discounts ranging from 25 per cent upwards on health products, fitness apparel and active wear, while the mega ‘Shop & Win’ promotion will see any shopper spending Dhs200 or more entered into a unified city-wide raffle for a chance to win a brand-new Mercedes-Benz A Class or C Class.

The big fight

September 7: UFC242

Of course, the big week-long celebration culminates in the big fight at The Arena on September 7. With the majority of ticket categories for UFC242: KHABIB vs. POIRIER sold out, the last remaining hotel and ticket packages for the event are available at adshowdownweek.ae. VIP tickets can also be purchased via ufcvipexperience.com/ufc-242.

For more information on events taking place across showdown week, visit adshowdownweek.ae. 

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Images: Facebook/Supplied