Saudi expansion in MMA and the new geography of the sport

Fast facts on Saudi expansion in MMA

• Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (through SRJ Sports) owns a minority stake in the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
• PFL MENA is a dedicated regional league with regular events in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
• UFC has now staged multiple cards in Riyadh and announced its first Fight Night in Qatar.
• Major cards in the Gulf are marketed as tourism and “mega-event” projects, not just fight shows.

How Saudi money entered MMA

The Saudi expansion in MMA really accelerated when SRJ Sports Investments, backed by the Public Investment Fund, bought a minority stake in the Professional Fighters League. That deal was about more than equity. It also included plans for PFL MENA, a regional league built around events in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries, plus special “Super Fights” shows in the kingdom.

For PFL, this solved two problems at once. It secured long-term capital to compete with the UFC, and it opened doors in a young, fast-growing market where stadiums, arenas and tourism projects are being built at pace. For Saudi Arabia, it added MMA to the same sports portfolio that already includes boxing mega-cards, LIV Golf and high-profile football signings.

The result is a calendar where Riyadh and Jeddah now appear regularly on PFL schedules, not as one-off experiments but as planned tentpoles for the region.

PFL MENA and a new regional talent pipeline

PFL MENA is the most concrete product of Saudi expansion in MMA so far. It runs in the same season-based format PFL uses globally: fighters compete in a league with points, playoffs and a final, instead of only traditional one-off matchmaking.

For prospects from the Middle East and North Africa, this changes the math. Before, an ambitious fighter often had to move abroad or bounce around smaller promotions to be noticed. Now there is a clear regional pathway: win locally under the PFL MENA banner, earn TV and streaming time, and position yourself for a call-up to PFL Europe or the global Champions Series.

For Saudi fans, it also means more than imported stars. Local and regional names headline cards, storylines build from event to event, and Saudi cities are presented as home turf rather than neutral hosts.

UFC, Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf

The UFC has taken a more gradual but still significant approach to Saudi expansion in MMA. After years of running big cards in Abu Dhabi, it finally staged events in Riyadh, including a 2024 Fight Night headlined by Robert Whittaker vs Ikram Aliskerov and a follow-up event in early 2025 fronted by Israel Adesanya.

These shows follow a familiar pattern: partnership with local tourism or events authorities, modern indoor arenas, and heavy emphasis on international broadcast. The goal is to showcase the host city as much as the athletes, with customised branding and fight-week experiences aimed at visitors.

The geography of MMA has widened beyond Saudi Arabia itself. In 2025 the UFC announced its first Fight Night in Doha, Qatar, again tied directly to a tourism partnership. That card, headlined by Arman Tsarukyan vs Dan Hooker, signals that the wider Gulf is now a regular stop on the UFC calendar rather than a rare experiment.

Why the new geography matters for fighters

For fighters, Saudi expansion in MMA means more potential employers, more event slots and more leverage at the negotiating table. When multiple promotions can offer big purses on cards backed by state-linked money, athletes and managers gain options beyond the traditional UFC-first mindset.

There are also new stylistic and career paths. A prospect from Jordan, Egypt or Saudi Arabia can build a name through PFL MENA, then test themselves against European opposition, and eventually headline a global Champions Series card without ever leaving the wider region. Meanwhile, established stars can add Gulf mega-events to their schedule for big paydays and global exposure.

However, this is not automatically a win for everyone. Smaller regional promotions may struggle to compete with state-backed budgets, and fighters outside the big leagues can get squeezed as the middle of the market thins out. The challenge for the sport is to turn these showcase events into sustainable ecosystems, not just occasional windfalls.

What it means for fans and the business of MMA

For fans in Europe, Africa and Asia, the new geography of MMA has one clear upside: more events in convenient time zones. Cards in Riyadh, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi and Doha often air at better hours than North American shows, which helps grow the fanbase across the Eastern Hemisphere.

On the business side, Gulf events help promotions de-risk their calendars. Long-term site fees and partnerships with tourism boards can stabilize revenue, even if pay-per-view sales fluctuate. That in turn makes it easier to book stacked cards and keep rosters deep.

The potential downside is perception. As with boxing, some fans worry that too many “destination” cards could pull the biggest fights away from traditional markets like Las Vegas, London or Rio. Balancing those concerns will be one of the key questions for promoters over the next decade.

FAQ: Saudi expansion in MMA

Why is Saudi expansion in MMA happening now?

Saudi Arabia is using major sports properties to attract tourism, diversify its economy and build international soft power. MMA is a fast-growing, relatively under-monetised sport compared to football or Formula 1, so it offers room for impact.

Is the UFC owned by Saudi investors?

No. The UFC works with Gulf partners on specific events and sponsorships, but its ownership structure is separate. The most direct Saudi equity involvement so far is in PFL, via SRJ Sports Investments.

What is PFL MENA?

PFL MENA is a Professional Fighters League regional competition focused on the Middle East and North Africa, with events frequently held in Saudi Arabia under the league’s season format.

Will Saudi expansion in MMA change fighter pay?

In the short term, more Gulf-backed events and leagues likely increase the top end of fighter pay, especially for headliners and regional stars. Whether that trickles down to entry-level fighters depends on how competitive the promotion landscape stays.

Could the biggest MMA fights all move to the Gulf?

Some super-fights and title bouts will almost certainly keep heading to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE because of the money and infrastructure available there. But North America, Brazil and Europe remain huge markets, so the future is more likely to be a split calendar than a full relocation.