If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the sporting world over the past few years, it’s that anything can happen when Saudi Arabia gets involved.
The Kingdom has made a splash in soccer, golf, and boxing. Will they do the same in MMA now that there is a growing partnership between UFC and General Entertainment Authority head Turki Alalshikh? Alalshikh’s greatest accomplishment in boxing has been to break down walls between promoters, allowing the biggest fights to be made.
With Saudi Arabia owning a minority equity ownership stake in PFL, Turki has the clout to do the same for a Francis Ngannou vs. P4P great Jon Jones superfight. UFC CEO Dana White was asked about the idea during the UFC 303 post-fight press conference, and shockingly enough, he didn’t shoot the idea down.
“I know it’s something you’ve traditionally been very much against, but could Riyadh Season compel you to cross promote?” a media member asked. “Obviously, there’s that Francis Ngannou fight that you think is not gonna happen, is there anything Riyadh could do to maybe twist your arm on that?”
“I actually respect Turki Alalshikh, he’s a nice guy and we have actually formed a relationship over the last couple of months,” White replied. “I respect what he’s done with boxing. He is the only guy that could ever pull this off in making these big fights. And the fights are good. You didn’t have guys that went in there and tried to avoid a fight so they could get to the next big payday.”
His Excellency is running the UFC
Yeah… Jonny is going to shut this down
Do they trash hotel rooms with shit during wild rapey sex parties fucking Dana or is it too hard to pretend he’s a little boy?
McT
THOSE SAUDIS HAVE DUMP TRUCKS FULL OF FUCK-YOU MONEY, THEY’LL PAY WHATEVER IT TAKES TO BRING THE BIGGEST FIGHTS TO THEIR FRONT YARD
Jones would “injure” himself or retire