SUMMARY
- UFC CEO Dana White announced that UFC will hold an event in Saudi Arabia on June 22, 2024.
- UFC follows in the footsteps of WWE as the pro-wrestling promotion has hosted several events in the KSA.
UFC is officially scheduled to make its debut in Saudi Arabia on June 22, 2024. After reports suggested that Saudi Arabian authorities rejected the initial fight card set to take place in the country in March, UFC CEO Dana White has set up some cracking fights in the Middle East. The Fight Night will be headlined by a #1 contender middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev.
BOOOOOOM!!!!!!
UFC is heading to Saudi Arabia for the first time with a BAD ASS card, headlined by Whittaker vs Chimaev LIVE and FREE on ABC on June 22nd pic.twitter.com/2OZW2AEmLH
— danawhite (@danawhite) March 28, 2024
Saudi Arabia’s presence in the sporting world cannot be ignored. They are leaving a footprint in every sport possible. Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, the Public Investment Fund owns PGA Tour competitor LIV Golf, and it also owns a majority of EPL club Newcastle United. Recently, PFL debuted in Saudi Arabia and boxing has made the Middle Eastern country its new home.
Not to forget, WWE has been hosting PPV events in Saudi Arabia since 2018. Ronda Rousey recently slammed the company and the country in her latest memoir but that cannot stop the massive deal that took place between them.
WWE reportedly earns $50 million from each event in Saudi Arabia
The pro wrestling promotion made its debut in Saudi Arabia in 2014. It started hosting PPVs in 2018. Since 2018, WWE has hosted two events in Saudi Arabia each year except 2020 and 2021. After announcing a 10-year deal in 2018, in 2019, WWE announced its partnership with the General Authority for Entertainment through 2027. This deal would see them hold two “large-scale events” in the country per year.
With today’s event, WWE will have earned more than $350 million from the Saudi Arabian government since 2018. Each event is worth $50M to $55M to WWE.
Here are some things that are less valuable than all the money WWE has made from the Saudi government so far…
— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) February 19, 2022
According to reports from journalist Brandon Thurston, WWE earns approximately $50 million – $55 million per PPV event in the Saudi kingdom. These events are held in Riyadh or Jeddah.
Huge controversies had ensued due to this partnership. Many wrestlers had refused to fight in the country, while others were against the traditions of the country. Women’s rights issues were cited as well. However, WWE continues to hold events in Saudi Arabia, and they are a grand affair.
It should also be noted that WWE and UFC officially merged in September 2023. Both promotions merged to form a new entity called TKO Group Holdings worth $21.4 billion. Ari Emmanuel heads the organization.
UFC is setting up a strong card for Saudi Arabia debut
As previously mentioned, the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia will see Whittaker take on Chimaev in a highly anticipated middleweight bout. The winner of the fight will go on to face the UFC Middleweight Champion.
Khamzat Chimaev vs Robert Whittaker
Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov
Kelvin Gastelum vs Daniel Rodriguez
Johnny Walker vs Volkan Oezdemir
Sharaputdin Magomedov vs Ihor Poteiriaall announced by Dana White
what grade do you give this FN card?? ⬇️
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) March 28, 2024
The other scheduled bouts for the event include Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov, Kelvin Gastelum vs. Daniel Rodriguez, Johnny Walker vs. Volkan Oezdemir, Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Ihor Potieria, and Nasrat Haqparast vs. Jared Gordon. More fights should be announced in the coming weeks.
