The insolence of Saudi Arabia, the UFC is paving its way to hell. Riyadh gala reportedly postponed, sheikhs want bigger names

That there is money in the Middle East is no secret. But the problem is that more and more sports brands and athletes themselves are heading in this direction without realising what a gamble it is. Now it seems that the UFC, the world’s MMA championship league, has stumbled rather unpleasantly.

Is Saudi Arabia trying to take over world sport?

Saudi Arabia is trying to take over the world sport. Not by building anything, perhaps. Rather, it’s trying to buy everything. After all, it’s got the money to do it. No question. But you can’t buy everyone and everything. Lionel Messi, for example, has shown this by giving the sheikhs the boot and opting instead for an engagement in the USA.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who went to Saudi Arabia for big money, has done a lot for the Middle East in the world of football. He was followed a little later by other aces and interesting players in world football. But somehow, in the glare of money, they overlooked everything else.

Now the imaginary paradise is slowly beginning to crumble. Apparently, many footballers want out of Saudi Arabia fast. Some have only been there six months. Players are bothered by the culture, the (dis)rights of their partners or wives. And the list goes on. Well, surprising.

But the Saudis are not only involved in football. Currently, Arabia is becoming the centre of world boxing. In Riyadh, there have been duels between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou or Deaontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua. More big events are planned for 2023.

The UFC, the world’s largest MMA organization, has also set its sights on Saudi Arabia. So far, it has experience from the United Arab Emirates. The UFC was hoping that the debut tournament in the new country might not be a problem. But the opposite is true.

The UFC has long faced criticism for its relations with dictator Ramzan Kadyrov, for example. The latest event just in the United Arab Emirates was essentially an advertisement for his regime and Palestinian terrorists.

The UFC in Saudi Arabia has crashed

It’s hard to know what the UFC is hoping for from Saudi Arabia besides money. But it is now certain that Saudi Arabia is clear about what it promises from the UFC. At least according to the latest reports. In fact, journalist Ariel Helwani has come forward with information that the tournament, which was supposed to take place in Riyadh in March, will be moved to the summer.

The reason? “They want a more entertaining fight card. A more interesting card with big names. They weren’t happy with what the UFC was offering,” Helwani expressed on The MMA Hour.

So this is speculation for now, nothing is officially confirmed. However, Helwani often has very good and accurate information.

MMA Junkie reached out to three people close to the fighters and teams scheduled to appear in Riyadh, and reportedly no one was informed that the event would not take place.

Either way, if the information is confirmed, it’s a big bold move on the Saudis’ part. The UFC certainly didn’t offer bad names.

After all, it is the UFC. The best fighters on the planet. The card promised some interesting names from the Muslim world. But the UFC is going to flirt with hell, now it’s paying the price. It’s worth noting that the UFC will be paid $20 million for the event.

Mohammad Mokaev, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Shamil Gaziev, Ludovit Klein and Javid Basharat were all supposed to be in the mix. It’s unclear what will happen to their fights if the tournament is postponed.

But if the UFC is not in Riyadh in March, the people there may not be upset. In February, the Bellator vs PFL tournament will take place there, and in March, the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou boxing duel is scheduled.

Source: Ariel Helwani, MMA Junkie