THE octagon on the beach of Fight Island is unusable for fights with the Abu Dhabi heat topping 40C, according to Kelvin Gastelum.
The UFC middleweight, 28, is set to compete at the third of four Fight Island events on Saturday.
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But Gastelum has claimed it will be impossible due to the scorching heat - despite the event set to happen between 4am and 8am local time.
The octagon sits on the beach, surrounded by the ocean and palm trees - where temperatures regularly reach 45C.
Fans were left disappointed when it was revealed the Fight Island events would actually take place indoors.
MMA fans could just picture UFC chief Dana White sitting in a throne surrounded by tiki torches next to the octagon...
Gastelum recently visited the beach octagon for training and photos.
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And the American concluded: "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.
"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."
Gastelum's fight will instead be held at the indoor, air-conditioned Flash Forum venue.
The No7 ranked middleweight will take on Jack Hermansson - ranked sixth - as he eyes the chance to move up charts.
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Gastelum added: "I'm always on that mindset for gold.
"[I'm] always thinking about the path to take me to the title.
"First stop on the list is Jack Hermansson."
Inside the glitzy UFC 251 'Fight Island' arena which has been purpose built to host Jorge Masvidal vs Kamaru Usman
