EPIC ABU DHABI SHOWDOWN WEEK SCHEDULE TO UNDERLINE UAE CAPITAL’S HEAVYWEIGHT LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION STATUS
From mega concerts including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, bumper hotel promotions and city-wide retail and F&B deals, to free car give-aways and super parties hosted by the world’s leading nightlife and entertainment brands, Abu Dhabi Showdown Week has it all
Abu Dhabi Showdown Week will also feature star-studded events with UFC athletes leading up to the UFCâ 242: KHABIB vs. POIRIER on September 7
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Tuesday 6th August, 2019: The hugely-anticipated entertainment schedule for Abu Dhabi Showdown Week has been revealed, with the seven-day series of city-wide events - which take place September 1 - 7 ahead of UFCâ 242: KHABIB VS. POIRIER - shaping up to be the hottest week-long party in the Middle East.
With only a handful of VIP and hotel package tickets left available for UFCâ 242, Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has upped its own ante with an expansive series of lifestyle, retail and culinary promotions and an eye-catching schedule of parties and after-parties hosted by major international nightlife brands.
Cementing Abu Dhabi’s growing status as an entertainment hotspot, the UAE capital will come alive during Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, with dedicated beach and pool parties by day, and headline concerts and high-energy after-parties by night.
Superstar rock group Red Hot Chili Peppers are already confirmed to make their UAE debut with a spectacular concert on September 4, which will be followed by another world-class concert by a ‘mystery’ act on September 5. While both concerts will take place at The Arena, a new indoor venue being constructed on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island that will also stage UFCâ 242 on September 7, the party vibe extends right across Yas Island and beyond all through the week.
With even more events due to be added in coming weeks, the current line-up of parties and nightlife events includes pool parties at Saadiyat Beach Club on September 2 and 3, a fight night viewing party at the same venue on September 7 and a week-long Abu Dhabi Showdown Week poolside brunch offering at The Edition. Things go up a gear with the official Red Hot Chili Peppers After Party, Bizarre by Mad on September 4, and a second official post-concert After Party, Drais Las Vegas at the same venue following the September 5 concert.
On September 6, Drais Las Vegas will also host a pool party at the Fairmont and in the evening, following the UFCâ 242 weigh-in, domestic and international partygoers can enjoy the after party in The Edition Club, The Annex. Partygoers are also spoiled for choice on September 7, as the inaugural Abu Dhabi Showdown Week gets not one but two options for a fitting finale, with The White Experience and Socialista at Cipriani both set to round off the week with a bang.
“We have assembled some of the world’s biggest leisure and nightlife brands to create Abu Dhabi Showdown Week’s wide-ranging schedule of beach, pool and after parties across a number of Abu Dhabi’s leading hotels, resorts and clubs. This holistic entertainment schedule will ensure that international visitors - and local residents alike - experience a dynamic Abu Dhabi Showdown Week programme that lets all fans experience the emirate’s diverse entertainment and nightlife proposition,” said Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Acting Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi.
“This diverse bill of concerts, lifestyle and nightlife events will elevate Abu Dhabi’s growing status as an entertainment capital, and significantly strengthen the emirate’s standing as an international, globally renowned leisure hub,” added Al Shaiba.
On the culinary front, residents and international visitors will be kept well-fed throughout Abu Dhabi Showdown Week with 25-plus restaurants, bars and cafes across the UAE capital participating in a city-wide ‘Knockout Burgers’ campaign running from August 25 – September 7.
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.
Shoppers can also weigh-in on Abu Dhabi Showdown Week courtesy of three major promotions in 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.
Running from August 15 to September 7, ‘Knockout Deals’ will align with the traditional back-to-school period and offer shoppers discounts ranging from 25% upwards on health products, fitness apparel and active wear, while the mega ‘Shop & Win’ promotion will see any shopper spending AED200 or more entered into a unified city-wide raffle for a chance to win a brand-new Mercedes-Benz A Class or C Class.
In addition, a series of in-mall activations running during the seven-day Abu Dhabi Showdown Week period will hand members of the public, money-can’t-buy chances for photo opportunities and meet-and-greets with UFC athletes, and pose for social media-friendly snaps with replica UFC belts.
“With many of Abu Dhabi’s leading malls and retail destinations supporting Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, local and international fans - including more than 4,000 foreign visitors descending on Abu Dhabi for UFCâ 242 - can take advantage of special discounts, promotions and bumper deals at unbeatable prices all across the emirate,” said Al Shaiba.
“These eclectic offerings will accentuate Abu Dhabi’s credentials as a world-class shopping destination and stimulate increased revenue across participating outlets, while our food and beverage partners have united to create a compelling menu of themed promotions that will ensure the spirit ofAbu Dhabi Showdown Week extends well beyond its core concert and MMA components to stimulate business for restaurants, cafes and bars.”
With UFCâ 242 serving as the mega Abu Dhabi Showdown Week headliner, fans and the general public will be able to experience the world’s fastest-growing sport franchise in various athlete-led activities across the UAE capital.
Across the week, there will be open workouts, autograph signings and meet-and-greet sessions at various locations. With the UFCâ 242 weigh-in at The Arena on Yas Island taking place on September 6, further information on how to claim a free ticket to the weigh-in will be released in coming weeks.
“The UFCâ 242 weigh-in will give fans the opportunity to see their favourite athletes square off face-to-face during an amazing afternoon of drama,” added Al Shaiba.
Fans descending on Yas Island for the weigh-in can also soak up the activity-packed UFC Fan Experience, which allows fans of UFC to fully immerse themselves in the organisation and its stars.
The Abu Dhabi Sports and Fitness Expo, managed by UAE-based Universal Music Fitness and Fashion (UMFF), will feature leading international exhibitors, competitions, fitness programmes, activations, and international conferences during a three-day run at du Forum on Yas Island from September 5-7. This expo is a premier event in the Middle East Region pertaining to wellness, fitness and healthy life style.
Designed to complement the city-wide Abu Dhabi Showdown Week programme and promote health and fitness, the dedicated industry platform will welcome fitness celebrities such as four times Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler and Mr. Universe, Mike O’Hearn and feature live fitness shows for all ages. Ticket prices range from AED50 for a one-day pass, to AED120 for a three-day pass. A single day VIP pass, which includes exclusive opportunities to get up-close to global fitness celebrities, is priced at AED100.
With the majority of ticket categories for UFCâ 242: KHABIB vs. POIRIER sold out, the last remaining hotel and ticket packages for the event are available at www.adshowdownweek.ae. VIP tickets can also be purchased via https://ufcvipexperience.com/
With tickets for Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Yas Island concert on September 4 available on www.ticketmaster.ae, DCT Abu Dhabi is urging all local, regional and international fans purchasing tickets for Abu Dhabi Showdown Week events to avoid unauthorised online sites and only purchase tickets via www.ticketmaster.ae – the sole authorised ticket vendor – or official sales channels for specific in-property events.
For 2019, IMG will act as the local promoter for UFCâ 242 and Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, overseeing operations and production logistics for the whole 7-day experience. IMG is part of the Endeavor network alongside UFC.
July 24, 2019 
Aurora Cannabis and UFC® Launch Clinical Research on Use of Hemp-Derived CBD Products by MMA Athletes
New studies to advance the science on CBD use and athlete health and wellness and
to drive product development under new U.S. sports performance brand, ROAR Sports
to drive product development under new U.S. sports performance brand, ROAR Sports
Las Vegas, NV – July 24, 2019 – Aurora Cannabis Inc. (“Aurora” or the “Company”) (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB), the Canadian company that’s defining the future of cannabis worldwide, and UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, are proud to announce the launch of a joint clinical research program that will produce multiple studies under the terms of their recently announced partnership.
The research will examine the use of hemp-derived CBD as an effective treatment for pain, inflammation, wound-healing, and recovery on MMA athletes.
The ground-breaking research partnership is aimed at understanding key health and recovery needs of elite athletes in such a highly physical and competitive sport as mixed martial arts. Research data will then be used to drive the development of science-backed, hemp-derived CBD topicals that will be safe and reliable. These new products will help combat the rapidly growing market of untested CBD treatments currently being used by high-performance and non-professional athletes.
Once research is complete, any resulting product will come to life in the U.S. under the new high-performance sports brand ROAR Sports, a portfolio of high-quality, hemp-derived CBD topical treatments scientifically formulated with elite athletes in mind. Through analysis of athlete needs and scientific data, ROAR Sports will challenge the status quo, seek to alleviate the stresses of competition, and earn designation as the “Official CBD product of UFC.”
The multi-phase clinical study at the UFC Performance InstituteÒ in Las Vegas will be led by Dr. Jason Dyck, Chair of Aurora’s Global Scientific Oversight Committee; Dr. Kelly Narine, Aurora’s Vice President Global Research and Medical Affairs; and the team of sports performance experts at the UFC Performance Institute, led by Dr. Duncan French, UFC Vice President of Performance. Using active UFC athletes on a strictly voluntary basis, the study will help establish peer-reviewed, publishable research in this area. Products will be developed in full compliance with U.S. federal law and with UFC’s anti-doping program, which adheres to WADA and USADA regulations.
“Our partnership with UFC is about committing to the science that will educate and advocate,” said Aurora CEO Terry Booth. “We are goingto work together to change the way people think, to change the industry, and to launch the first hemp-derived CBD products that are backed by scientific research. The brand-building and product development are all part of our move into the U.S., and in collaboration with UFC, and we intend to play a major role in that market.”
“We know anecdotally that professional athletes across sports disciplines are turning to hemp-derived CBD treatments to assist with physical recovery, with varying degrees of success,” added Jason Dyck, Chair of Aurora’s Global Scientific Oversight Committee. “The work we do in partnership with UFC will create an evidence-based, science-backed pipeline of consistent, and ‘clean’ hemp-derived CBD topicals that the high-performance athletes of UFC can rely on to treat the pain, inflammation, injury and other conditions associated with competing at such a high level.”
“Although CBD is allowed under USADA and WADA regulations, we want to be the leaders on educating UFC athletes on CBD use,” said Jeff Novitzky, UFC Senior Vice President of Athlete Health & Performance. “Athlete safety is a top priority for UFC, and we will collaborate with Aurora to ensure that any new products are third-party tested for all WADA-prohibited substances to make certain they meet WADA standards.”
Download the media kit HERE.
About UFC®
UFC®, is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization and the largest Pay-Per-View event provider in the world. UFC boasts more than 300 million fans worldwide, including 70 million social media followers across all its digital platforms, and its programming is broadcast in over 170 countries and territories to one billion TV households worldwide in 40 different languages. UFC produces more than 40 live events annually and consistently sells out some of the world’s most prestigious arenas. Since 2001, UFC has been proudly headquartered in Las Vegas, supported by a network of employees around the world. UFC’s current roster of athletes features more than 590 men and women representing over 60 countries. UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, delivers exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand, and original content to fans around the world. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global sports, entertainment, and fashion leader Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR, in what is among the largest transactions in sports history. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.
About Aurora
Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with funded capacity in excess of 625,000 kg per annum and sales and operations in 24 countries across five continents, Aurora is one of the world's largest and leading cannabis companies. Aurora is vertically integrated and horizontally diversified across every key segment of the value chain, from facility engineering and design to cannabis breeding and genetics research, cannabis and hemp production, derivatives, high value-add product development, home cultivation, wholesale and retail distribution.
Highly differentiated from its peers, Aurora has established a uniquely advanced, consistent and efficient production strategy, based on purpose-built facilities that integrate leading-edge technologies across all processes, defined by extensive automation and customization, resulting in the massive scale production of high-quality product at low cost. Intended to be replicable and scalable globally, our production facilities are designed to produce cannabis of significant scale, with high quality, industry-leading yields, and low per gram production costs. Each of Aurora's facilities is built to meet EU GMP standards. EU GMP certification has been granted to Aurora’s first production facility in Mountain View County, the Aurora River facility in Bradford, Ontario, and its wholly owned European medical cannabis distributor Aurora Deutschland.
In addition to the Company's rapid organic growth and strong execution on strategic M&A, which to date includes 15 wholly owned subsidiary companies – MedReleaf, CanvasRX, Peloton Pharmaceutical, Aurora Deutschland, H2 Biopharma, Urban Cultivator, BC Northern Lights, Larssen Greenhouses, CanniMed Therapeutics, Anandia, HotHouse Consulting, MED Colombia, Agropro, Borela, ICC Labs, Whistler, and Chemi Pharmaceutical – Aurora is distinguished by its reputation as a partner and employer of choice in the global cannabis sector, having invested in and established strategic partnerships with a range of leading innovators, including: Radient Technologies Inc. (TSXV: RTI), Hempco Food and Fiber Inc. (TSXV: HEMP), Cann Group Ltd. (ASX: CAN), Micron Waste Technologies Inc. (CSE: MWM), Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO), Capcium Inc. (private), Evio Beauty Group (private), Wagner Dimas (private), CTT Pharmaceuticals (OTCC: CTTH), Alcanna Inc. (TSX: CLIQ), High Tide Inc. (CSE: HITI) and EnWave Corporation (TSXV: ENW).
Aurora's Common Shares trade on the TSX and NYSE under the symbol "ACB", and are a constituent of the S&P/TSX Composite Index.
For more information about Aurora, please visit our investor website, investor.auroramj.com
Terry Booth, CEO
Aurora Cannabis Inc.
UFC® RETURNS TO VANCOUVER WITH A FIGHT OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE BETWEEN
(#4) COWBOY CERRONE AND (#5) JUSTIN GAETHJE
FEATURED BOUTS EXCLUSIVELY ON ESPN+:
(#10) GLOVER TEIXEIRA vs. (#14) NIKITA KRYLOV
(#11) URIAH HALL vs. (#13) ANTONIO CARLOS JUNIOR
TICKETS FOR UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN+®: COWBOY vs. GAEHTJE AT ROGERS ARENA GO ON SALE FRIDAY, JULY 26
Vancouver, Canada – UFC® makes its fifth stop in Vancouver with a blockbuster clash of lightweight contenders featuring two of MMA’s most exciting fighters, as No. 4 ranked Cowboy Cerrone faces No. 5 Justin Gaethje. Plus, former light heavyweight title challenger and No.10 ranked Glover Teixeira goes for his third consecutive win against dangerous finisher and No. 14 Nikita Krylov.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN+®: COWBOY vs. GAEHTJE will air live from Rogers Arena exclusively on ESPN+ at 5 p.m. PT on Saturday, September 14, with the ESPN+ prelims kicking off at 2 p.m. PT. Doors open at 1 p.m. PT. All UFC live events will also be available in English and Spanish.
A former lightweight title challenger and perennial fan favorite, Cerrone (36-12, 1 NC, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M., USA) has delivered some of the most spectacular fights in UFC history. Throughout his storied career, he has netted thrilling victories over Al Iaquinta, Edson Barboza, Mike Perry, Matt Brown and Rick Story. Cerrone now looks to remain undefeated in Canada and continue his ascent up the 155-pound rankings against one of the division’s most dangerous competitors.
Known as “The Highlight,” Gaethje (20-2, fighting out of Arvada, Colo., USA) has proven to be among the most exciting fighters on the UFC roster. In only five appearances, he has taken home six Fight Night bonuses. During his UFC tenure, he has delivered incredible wins over Edson Barboza, Michael Johnson and James Vick. Gaethje now aims to earn his third consecutive victory over one of MMA’s most respected athletes and further stake his claim as a lightweight title threat.
A 17-year MMA veteran, Teixeira (29-7, fighting out of Danbury, Conn. by way of Governador Valadares, Brazil) has fought the who’s who of MMA. Known for his heavy hands and punishing grappling attack, he has picked up impressive victories against former UFC light heavyweight champions Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Currently riding a two-fight win streak, he is now poised to stop yet another surging contender.
An unpredictable and dynamic finisher, Krylov (26-6, fighting out of Donetsk, Ukraine) has yet to go to a judges’ decision in 32 MMA bouts. Equally dangerous with his striking as he is on the mat, Krylov has delivered highlight-reel finishes against Ovince Saint Preux, Ed Herman, Walt Harris, Francimar Barroso and Fabio Maldonado. He now hopes to use Teixeira as a stepping stone to crack the light heavyweight division’s top 10.
Announced bouts on the card include:
- KO artist and No. 11 ranked middleweight contender Uriah Hall (15-9, fighting out of Queens, N.Y. by way of Kingston, Jamaica) takes on submission ace and No. 13 Antonio Carlos Junior (11-3, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
- No. 13 ranked heavyweight Marcin Tybura (17-5, fighting out of Uniejow, Poland) faces rising No. 15 Augusto Sakai (13-1, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil)
- No. 14 middleweight contender David Branch (22-6, fighting out of Brooklyn, N.Y.) hopes to rebound against gritty Andrew Sanchez (12-4, fighting out of Montreal, Canada by way of Belleville, Ill.)
- No. 15 light heavyweight contender Misha Cirkunov (14-5, fighting out of Toronto, Canada by way of Riga, Latvia) aims to slow the momentum of undefeated prospect Jim Crute (10-0, fighting out of Bendigo, Australia)
- In a clash on undefeated bantamweights, Canadian Cole Smith (7-0, fighting out of Squamish, B.C., Canada) takes onMiles Johns (8-0, fighting out of Dallas, Tex.)
- Kyle Prepolec (12-6, fighting out of Windsor, Ont., Canada) takes on Austin Hubbard (10-3, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) in a battle of lightweight prospects
- Heavyweight Todd Duffee (9-3, by way of Boca Raton, Fla.) returns from a four-year hiatus against Jeff Hughes (10-2, fighting out of Independence, Ohio)
- Louis Smolka (15-6, fighting out of Kapolei, Hawaii) faces Ryan MacDonald (10-1, fighting out of North Platte, Neb.) in an exciting bantamweight bout
For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.
Visit the UFC® Press Portal for information and content to support your UFC coverage. Please click here to apply for the event.
Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: COWBOY vs. GAETHJE go on sale Friday, July 26 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets are available for purchase at ticketmaster.ca. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.
UFC Fight Club® members have the opportunity to purchase tickets today via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, July 25 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.
UFC Fight Club® members have the opportunity to purchase tickets today via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, July 25 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.
