A UFC event scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia has been postponed due to the show’s underwhelming card, it has been revealed.
On a recent edition of “The MMA Hour” podcast, Ariel Helwani spoke about the event, originally scheduled for March of this year. He said,
“I can tell you exclusively here on the show that I am being told via sources that the planned March 2 UFC event in Saudi Arabia is being postponed and the target is June.”
“I was told that the reason for the postponement is because they – the powers that be in Saudi Arabia – want a, how should we put it, they want a more entertaining fight card, they want a deeper fight card with bigger names on it, weren’t too pleased with what was being offered.”
This event was set to be the debut of UFC in Saudi Arabia. WWE has hosted events in Saudi Arabia for years, with the most recent being Crown Jewel 2023 last November.
UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings, as is WWE. The company was officially launched in September of last year.
Ariel Helwani: Planned UFC event in Saudi Arabia is being postponed and the target is June 📆 #TheMMAHour
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— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 15, 2024
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The UFC event scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia has been postponed due to the underwhelming card, according to recent reports. The event, originally planned for March of this year, will now target a new date in June.
Ariel Helwani, a well-known MMA journalist, revealed this information on a recent edition of “The MMA Hour” podcast. He stated that sources informed him about the postponement and the desire of the Saudi Arabian authorities to have a more entertaining and deeper fight card with bigger names.
This event was supposed to mark the debut of UFC in Saudi Arabia. However, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) has been hosting events in the country for several years, with the most recent being Crown Jewel 2023 in November.
It is worth noting that UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings, which also includes WWE. The company was officially launched in September of last year, and this event was expected to be a significant milestone for UFC’s expansion into the Saudi Arabian market.
The decision to postpone the event reflects the importance placed on delivering a high-quality fight card that meets the expectations of both the Saudi Arabian authorities and the fans. By aiming for a June date, UFC organizers will have more time to curate a lineup that includes notable fighters and exciting matchups.
While the specific details of the new fight card are yet to be announced, fans can expect a more compelling and entertaining event when it takes place in June. This delay allows UFC to work on securing bigger names and creating matchups that will generate more interest and excitement among fans.
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In conclusion, the UFC event in Saudi Arabia has been postponed to June due to the desire for a more entertaining and deeper fight card. This delay will give UFC organizers the opportunity to create a lineup that includes bigger names and exciting matchups, ensuring a more compelling event for fans.