Abu Dhabi is the safest place you can be in right now: UFC star referee

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The MMA fighter-turned-referee Herb Dean said fights without crowds are interesting in their own way. -- Twitter
The MMA fighter-turned-referee Herb Dean said fights without crowds are interesting in their own way. -- Twitter

Abu Dhabi - The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi has ensured an 11-km 'safe zone' where everyone is tested every 72 hours.

By Ashwani Kumar

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Published: Sat 25 Jul 2020, 5:15 PM

Last updated: Sun 26 Jul 2020, 12:18 AM

Herb Dean, the UFC's star referee, gave the thumbs up to the stringent safety measures put in place by the local authorities to ensure the successful conduct of the UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
Ahead of this edition's final Fight Night, the American MMA fighter-turned-referee adjudged Abu Dhabi as the 'safest place' to be in the world right now.
"I feel really good about the safety precautions. I am in the safest place you can be in right now. I can come out, walk around and know that everybody I talk to has been tested," Dean, nicknamed the 'Gold Standard' said.
The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi ensured a 11-km 'safe zone' where everyone is tested every 72 hours. So far, more than 12,000 Covid-19 tests have been conducted in the past four weeks - an aspect that reassures Dean.
"We don't have to worry about safety from other reasons and safety from Covid-19 because it is taken very seriously here. This is probably a lesson for some other places in the world on the things you can do."
Dean acknowledged the massive effort taken by the stakeholders to host UFC events in such unprecedented times.
"I like the big events, with all the big crowds, for the energy, but, at the same time, I like this for the reality of it and the personal feel of it. Fights without crowds are interesting in their own way. The UFC has had one great night after another," Dean added.
The final Fight Night will be a record 15 bouts at Flash Forum on Yas Island from early morning on Sunday.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com


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