Maiki Reiter and Negão in action. Since2009, outdoor training to promote the sport in the Emirates. Photos: Publicity.

Set for April 10, UFC 112 has infected the population of the UAE. Ads on the radio and television are running all the time, to pack the arena on Yas Island, the venue for the Formula 1 circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Aside from infecting the public, the arrival of the Ultimate Fighting Championship ended up infecting some fighters living in Abu Dhabi, too. That’s the case with, for example, Marcos Oliveira, now of Emirates Team.

The fighter, who is in the running for a nomination for post of Brazilian Confederation of Associated Wrestling (CBLA) athlete of the year, intensified his MMA training: “I put together a record in the U.S., now I want to test myself in the East and some folks from Dubai have even come over to do some training.”

Another to add some spice to  training is Southern Brazil’s Maiki Reiter. After a few seasons in Thailand and the Netherlands, the brown belt has been alternating sport Jiu-Jitsu training with MMA. The same goes for Fernando Cosendey, who is aiming to place well at the World Pro Cup, to take place on the same premises as the UFC, just a week later.

“People are energized. Every week there are new people wanting to train MMA and the Jiu-Jitsu dojo is always packed with people getting ready for the World Pro,” attests Alex “Negao” Paz, a veteran from the BTT now based in Abu Dhabi.

UFC Tickets are on sale via the BoxOfficeME.com website and are limited.

Now the World Pro will have free admission.

So pack your gi and gloves and get on over to Abu Dhabi!