White says UFC Qatar and UFC Saudi Arabia are on despite the war, even as the US ordered non-emergency staff out of Saudi Arabia and TKO reportedly risks about $90 million.
From 5 reports by 4 outletsLatest US orders non-emergency staff out of Saudi Arabia; TKO's Riyadh dates stand 2 updates 4 outlets
What we know
- UFC Qatar is set for Nov. 21 and UFC Saudi Arabia for Dec. 5, according to White.
- The UFC has not officially announced the Saudi Arabia card; no venue or fights are confirmed.
- WWE Crown Jewel is scheduled for Riyadh on Nov. 7.
- The US State Department's departure order for non-emergency government employees and families in Saudi Arabia took effect Oct. 23.
- Canelo Alvarez fights Christian Mbilli in Riyadh on Oct. 31; Turki Alalshikh says it will go ahead as planned.
Reported, not confirmed
- A US Embassy alert says US government staff need special authorization to use any Saudi airport. Fightful
- TKO could face roughly $90 million in losses if its WWE and UFC events in Saudi Arabia are canceled. Sportskeeda
Dana White has put the UFC's Middle East schedule on record: the dates stay, war or not. Whether that holds depends on a security picture in Saudi Arabia that is getting worse, not better.
Asked after UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi about security, and whether he had a message for other sports organizations in the region, White said he has never felt unsafe there or felt his staff were unsafe, and praised how events are run. "When we have a deal, we have a contract, we have a date, we'll be there," he said, adding that he can't tell other sporting events what to do.
The commitment spans TKO, which owns both the UFC and WWE. WWE Crown Jewel is set for Riyadh on Nov. 7, UFC Qatar for Nov. 21 and UFC Saudi Arabia for Dec. 5. Saudi Arabia has been hit by Houthi missile and drone attacks, and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been struck more than once, according to MMA Mania.
The pressure is concrete. The US State Department's departure order for non-emergency government employees and their families took effect Oct. 23. A US Embassy alert two days later, reported by Fightful, cited Houthi attacks on civilian airports and infrastructure and said US government staff need special authorization to use any Saudi airport. King Khalid International announced a partial reopening on Oct. 25, handling domestic flights and some international routes.
There is a financial side too. Sportskeeda reports TKO could face roughly $90 million in losses if its WWE and UFC events in the Kingdom are canceled. None of the reports say whether TKO has discussed moving or postponing anything with Saudi partners.
For now Saudi Arabia is a promise rather than a booking: no venue or fights are confirmed. The first test comes Oct. 31, when Canelo Alvarez fights Christian Mbilli in Riyadh; Turki Alalshikh has said it will go ahead as planned despite pressure to reschedule. Watch that card, the state of Riyadh's airport and any official UFC announcement.
Asked after UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi about security, and whether he had a message for other sports organizations in the region, White said he has never felt unsafe there or felt his staff were unsafe, and praised how events are run. "When we have a deal, we have a contract, we have a date, we'll be there," he said, adding that he can't tell other sporting events what to do.
The commitment spans TKO, which owns both the UFC and WWE. WWE Crown Jewel is set for Riyadh on Nov. 7, UFC Qatar for Nov. 21 and UFC Saudi Arabia for Dec. 5. Saudi Arabia has been hit by Houthi missile and drone attacks, and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been struck more than once, according to MMA Mania.
The pressure is concrete. The US State Department's departure order for non-emergency government employees and their families took effect Oct. 23. A US Embassy alert two days later, reported by Fightful, cited Houthi attacks on civilian airports and infrastructure and said US government staff need special authorization to use any Saudi airport. King Khalid International announced a partial reopening on Oct. 25, handling domestic flights and some international routes.
There is a financial side too. Sportskeeda reports TKO could face roughly $90 million in losses if its WWE and UFC events in the Kingdom are canceled. None of the reports say whether TKO has discussed moving or postponing anything with Saudi partners.
For now Saudi Arabia is a promise rather than a booking: no venue or fights are confirmed. The first test comes Oct. 31, when Canelo Alvarez fights Christian Mbilli in Riyadh; Turki Alalshikh has said it will go ahead as planned despite pressure to reschedule. Watch that card, the state of Riyadh's airport and any official UFC announcement.
- Summary
- White says UFC Qatar and UFC Saudi Arabia are on despite the war, even as the US ordered non-emergency staff out of Saudi Arabia and TKO reportedly risks about $90 million.
- Key points (one per line)
- White says UFC Qatar (Nov. 21) and UFC Saudi Arabia (Dec. 5) will go ahead despite the war.
The US ordered non-emergency government staff out of Saudi Arabia, effective Oct. 23.
Sportskeeda reports TKO could lose about $90 million if its Saudi WWE and UFC events are canceled.
The UFC has not officially announced the Saudi Arabia card.
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/dana-white-shuts-down-saudi-arabia-doubts-with-three-words
MMA Mania | https://www.mmamania.com/ufc-news/482011/dana-white-says-ufc-events-will-go-ahead-in-middle-east-despite-war-well-be-there
Combat Sports UK | https://combatsportsuk.com/news/8955002e-02f5-4a4b-972c-fb3d84cf3fdb/dana-white-ufc-middle-east-events-go-ahead-despite-war-qatar-saudi-arabia
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/tko-stares-down-a-90-million-hole-as-riyadh-fight-dates-hold-despite-u-s-exit-order
X: @FalseFinishHQ | https://x.com/FalseFinishHQ/status/2114199524445184131
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US orders non-emergency staff out of Saudi Arabia; TKO's Riyadh dates stand
Knockout Daily
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White says UFC Qatar and Saudi Arabia dates are going ahead despite the war
MMA Mania
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