Recently, Saudi Arabia has been actively involved in sports like soccer, golf, and boxing, making a notable impact on the sports world. There’s been a growing collaboration between the UFC and Turki Alalshikh, the head of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, prompting speculation about the country’s role in MMA.
Alalshikh, known for his successful endeavors in boxing by bridging gaps between promoters to set up significant fights, could potentially facilitate a mega-fight between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones, given Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the PFL. UFC CEO Dana White, in a post-fight press conference, hinted at the possibility of co-promotion with Riyadh Season.
White has shown admiration for Alalshikh and the talks they’ve had regarding potential partnerships, although the specifics are still unclear. Alalshikh has been given the platform to present his ideas for large-scale sports events in Riyadh, but for now, the agreement is limited to UFC Fight Nights.
While the details are vague, the prospect of a Ngannou vs. Jones showdown backed by Saudi funds remains viable. Nonetheless, Jones must first recuperate from injuries and potentially face Stipe Miocic, a scenario that may not unfold until the end of 2024. The final outcome of these conversations and any forthcoming events hangs in the balance.
