Dana White has left the octagon and entered the ring.
The president of UFC and Nick Khan of WWE, who together leads Tko Holdings, agreed to bring a boxing rise to Saudi Arabia.
Tko announced Wednesday that he entered a several year association with Turki Alalshikh, president of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, and Sela, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
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The CEO of 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 through Getty Images)
“This is a strategic opportunity to reinvent the sport of boxing worldwide,” said Tko’s president Mark Shapiro. “Tko has the deep experience, promotional skill and long -standing relationships.
“Turki Alalshikh and Sela share our passion and vision to evolve the current model. Together, we can return the sweet science to its legitimate place to the avant -garde of the global sports ecosystem.”
The president of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, Turki Alalshikh, added: “I am very happy today. I give the boxing flag to the best man who can handle it.
“We have a difficult job now. But I am sure that the magnificent league will give to the people and will fall again.
“This historical association between industry powers prepares the stage for an incomparable experience for boxers and fans,” Alalshikh continued. “Together, we are developing the next generation of talent and delivering world -class events at a time when sport is prepared for greater interruption.”
The CEO of UFC, Dana White, on stage during a press conference of UFC 297 at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theater Center on January 18, 2024 in Toronto. (Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC through Getty Images)
“The model is tested, to deliver the fights that fans want to see. The best will fight better. And the fighters will continue to rise to the classification and become world champions,” White said.
Combat sports have been part of the Saudi sports show. Tyson Fury defeated Francis Ngannou there in October 2023. WWE also reached an agreement with the Saudi to organize events there, and Royal Rumble will take place in Riyadh in 2026. The LIV golf is also funded by the PIF, which also houses a F1 race.
Alalshikh bought Ring Magazine in November and will organize a boxing card on May 2 on Times Square.
UFC President Dana White, with Jan Blachowicz from Poland after her divided decision against Magomed Ankalaev in Russia in her UFC semi-stated weight championship fight for UFC 282 at the T-Mobile Arena on December 10, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
The fighters on the card are known: Ryan García against Rolando “Rolly” Romero in the main event; Devin Haney against José Ramírez in Co-Mayor; and Teofimo López against Arnold Barboza Jr. in a fight for the title as a starter.
