Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, has recently announced a significant development in the partnership between Riyadh Season and the UFC. This strategic agreement aims to bring a major UFC event to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, either at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025. The event is expected to surpass the impact of the UFC’s previous venture in the region, particularly the June 22 card featuring Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev.
Diversification of Sporting Events
Saudi Arabia has been actively embracing a variety of combat sports, including boxing and MMA. The merge between the UFC and WWE to create TKO, a publicly traded company, has opened up new possibilities for hosting premium live events in the region. WWE has been holding events in Saudi Arabia since 2014, with an upcoming King and Queen of the Ring event scheduled for Jeddah. Alalshikh is also exploring the opportunity to bring significant WWE events such as the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania to Saudi Arabia in the near future.
Strategic Collaborations
As part of the continuous efforts to elevate Riyadh’s status in the world of combat sports, Alalshikh announced plans to host a Dana White’s Power Slap event in the city. Furthermore, Riyadh Season will be the backdrop for a boxing event featuring the Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov junior middleweight title fight in Los Angeles, marking the Kingdom’s first venture into hosting boxing matches outside of Saudi Arabia.
The partnership between Riyadh Season and combat sports entities like the UFC and WWE highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to expanding its entertainment offerings and attracting a global audience. The strategic agreements and upcoming events serve as a testament to the growing interest and investment in combat sports in the Middle East. With the support of key stakeholders and the backing of major companies, Riyadh is positioning itself as a leading destination for sports and entertainment in the region.
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