I thought based on an Octagon on the beach used for promotional purposes, that the Fight Island fights might well be held outdoors, by the ocean. That was a dumbass assumption, as I’ve been to the UAE. The temperature on Yas Beach right now range from 108 to 113 degrees, with a humidity of 25% to 50%. Dana sitting in a Gilligan’s Island set full of palm trees with fights in a cage was just too fun an image to think rationally about.

Abu Dhabi and even more so Dubai are super, super fun places, but not to fight outside in, as Kelvin Gastelum explained in a recent pre-fight media event.

“It’s not the right conditions,” said Gastelum. “It’s way too hot. There’s too much mist in the air, I don’t know what’s in the air there, but the conditions to fight by the beach, in the open air, is … not right.”

“Although fans would have liked to have seen it … and I would have liked to have seen it — I love being by the beach — But to fight in it? It’s not the right conditions.”

With a loss, Gastelum will be on a three-fight losing streak. But Gastelum, ranked #7 at middleweight to Hermansson’s #6, aims for a win and then a march toward a title shot.

“I’m always on that mindset … for gold,” said Gastelum. “Always thinking about the path to take me to the title. [And] first stop on the list is Jack Hermansson.”

The fights will be held in the bespoke, air-conditioned, Flash Forum, with no audience.

h/t Alan Dawson for MSN