Dana White's Potential Collaboration with Saudi Boxing League

TDT | Manama 

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Dana White, president of the UFC, has expressed strong interest in collaborating with a new Saudi Boxing league, describing it as a "definite possibility." This interest surfaced during a challenging period for the UFC, which had to adjust major events due to unexpected fighter changes.

The UFC, part of the publicly traded TKO Group Holdings, faced a 2.1% stock drop recently.

This was during a week marked by Conor McGregor's withdrawal from UFC 303 and the need to find a new main event for the Saudi Arabia debut. McGregor was expected to return after nearly three years, and rising star Khamzat Chimaev had to pull out due to illness.

In response, Alex Pereira replaced McGregor, and Ikram Aliskerov stepped in for the Saudi event, with Robert Whittaker agreeing to fight him. White expressed satisfaction with these replacements, emphasizing the quality and readiness of the fighters. Regarding McGregor’s situation, White stated, "It’s the business, man.

This is the way it goes." White also mentioned plans for Thrill One Sports & Entertainment's partnership with NASCAR Holdings, debuting at the Chicago Street Race on the Fourth of July weekend.

This aims to promote NASCAR to younger audiences through innovative collaborations. Saudi Boxing League Turki Alalshikh, a key Saudi executive, is working on a new boxing league designed to mirror the UFC's success.

White acknowledged Alalshikh's unique ability to organize high-profile fights and confirmed the possibility of his involvement in the new league, emphasizing Alalshikh's potential to transform the sport.

This collaboration reflects the growing trend of international sports partnerships, with Saudi Arabia emerging as a key player.

As White navigates these opportunities, the UFC continues to adapt and thrive despite the inherent unpredictability of the fight industry.