Dana White came out of the octagon and in the ring.
The president of the UFC and Nick Khan of WWE, who directs TKO Holdings together, agreed to bring a boxing promotion to Saudi Arabia.
TKO announced on Wednesday that it had concluded a multi -year partnership with Turki Alashikh, president of the Saoudie General Entertainment Authority, and Sela, a subsidiary of the public investment fund of Saudi Arabia.
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The CEO of the UFC, Dana White, on stage during a press conference UFC 300 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“This is a strategic opportunity to reinvent the sport of boxing around the world,” said Mark Shapiro, president of TKO and chief of the farm. “TKO has in -depth expertise, promotional prowess and long -standing relationships.
“Turki Alashikh and Sela share our passion and our vision to evolve the current model. Together, we can bring the sweet science back to its legitimate place at the forefront of the global sports ecosystem.”
The president of Saudi Arabia General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alshikh, added: “I am very happy today. I give the box of boxing to the best man who can manage it.
“We have difficult work now. But I am sure he will deliver to people and fans the magnificent league and will become boxing again.
“This historic partnership between the powers of the industry opens the way to an unrivaled experience for boxers and fans,” continued Alashikh. “Together, we develop the next generation of talents and offer world -class events at a time when sport is ready for additional disturbance.”
The CEO of the UFC, Dana White, on stage at a press conference UFC 297 at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Center on January 18, 2024, in Toronto. (Mike Roach / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“The model is proven – to fight the fights that fans want to see. The best combatra the best. And the fighters will continue to get into the ranking and become world champions,” said White.
Combat sports are part of the Saudis sports show. Tyson Fury defeated Francis Ngannou there in October 2023. WWE also concluded an agreement with the Saudis to host events there, and the Royal Rumble will take place in Riyadh in 2026. Liv Golf is also funded by the PIF, which also organizes an F1 race.
Alashikh bought Ring Magazine in November and will stage a boxing card of May 2 in Times Square.
The president of the UFC, Dana White, with Jan Blachowicz of Poland after his decision to share against Magomed Ankalaev of Russia in their UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 282 at T-Mobile Arena on December 10, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Chris Unger / Zuffa LLC)
Fighters on the map are known: Ryan Garcia against Rolando “Rolly” Romero in the main event; Devin Haney against Jose Ramirez in Co-Princhipal; And Teofimo Lopez against Arnold Barboza Jr. in a fight for the title as the first match.
