Why Saudi Arabia’s first UFC event could see return of Conor McGregor

RIYADH: The recent announcement that the UFC was coming to Saudi Arabia for the first time was in danger of becoming a footnote in a chaotic week for the MMA organization.

While upgrading the upcoming UFC 294 card in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 21, with flyweight champ Alexander Volkanovski and former welterweight king Kamaru Usman joining the card as replacement fighters, the UFC signed a significant deal with the Saudi General Entertainment Authority. And on March 2, 2024, UFC Fight Night will come to Riyadh.

There are several reasons why this news is important. The most obvious is that Saudi UFC fans will see some of their favorite fighters up close as the Octagon finally lands in the Kingdom.

Beyond this, it shows the UFC’s commitment to hosting shows in the Middle East and is another step to inspire and unearth the next wave of regional fighters into the mix.

It is also a direct response to rival MMA brand PFL (Professional Fighters League), which has been a fixture in Saudi for a while and is now backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. MMA fans in Saudi Arabia are the big winners with both deals.

Right now, there is only one official event scheduled. UFC Fight Night will happen during Riyadh Season, a city-wide event featuring concerts, exhibitions, and more. It will also see Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou go toe-to-toe in their heavyweight boxing match on Oct. 28.

But a long-term partnership is expected to blossom, something akin to the five-year relationship between the UFC and Abu Dhabi Tourism that brought UFC nights and title fights to the UAE capital.

However, speculation remains about who will appear on the first-ever Saudi card. Although both event types are packed with talented fighters across the