The UFC's Middle East dates stand, with White saying UFC Qatar and Saudi Arabia are on, while the US told non-emergency staff to leave Saudi Arabia and TKO reportedly risks $90 million.
From 4 reports by 3 outletsLatest US orders non-emergency staff out of Saudi Arabia; TKO's Riyadh dates still stand 2 updates 3 outlets
What we know
- The UFC has not officially announced the Saudi Arabia event; no venue or fights are confirmed.
- White said the UFC will attend when it has a deal, a contract and a date, and that he has never felt unsafe in the Middle East.
- The US State Department ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, effective Oct. 23.
- The US Embassy in Riyadh warned of Houthi attacks on Saudi airports; Riyadh's airport partially reopened on Oct. 25.
Reported, not confirmed
- MMA Mania lists UFC Qatar on Nov. 21 and UFC Saudi Arabia on Dec. 5 as going ahead, according to White. MMA Mania
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White said Islam Makhachev, slated for January, asked to wait until after Ramadan.
Knockout Daily
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Sportskeeda reports TKO faces roughly $90 million in losses if its WWE and UFC events in Saudi Arabia are canceled.
Knockout Daily
Dana White said after UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi that the UFC will keep its Middle East dates despite the war in the region. Asked about security, he said he has never felt unsafe or felt his staff were unsafe there.
White said he can't tell other sporting events what to do, adding: "When we have a deal, we have a contract, we have a date, we'll be there." MMA Mania lists UFC Qatar on Nov. 21 and UFC Saudi Arabia on Dec. 5 among the events moving forward, according to White.
The UFC has not officially announced a Saudi Arabia card, and no venue or fights are confirmed. The first test in the region is the Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli boxing card in Riyadh on Oct. 31, which Turki Alalshikh has said will go ahead.
White said he can't tell other sporting events what to do, adding: "When we have a deal, we have a contract, we have a date, we'll be there." MMA Mania lists UFC Qatar on Nov. 21 and UFC Saudi Arabia on Dec. 5 among the events moving forward, according to White.
The UFC has not officially announced a Saudi Arabia card, and no venue or fights are confirmed. The first test in the region is the Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli boxing card in Riyadh on Oct. 31, which Turki Alalshikh has said will go ahead.
- Summary
- The UFC's Middle East dates stand, with White saying UFC Qatar and Saudi Arabia are on, while the US told non-emergency staff to leave Saudi Arabia and TKO reportedly risks $90 million.
- Key points (one per line)
- White said the UFC will attend when it has a deal, a contract and a date, and that he has never felt unsafe in the region
UFC Qatar is listed for Nov. 21 and UFC Saudi Arabia for Dec. 5; the UFC has not officially announced a Saudi card
The US State Department ordered non-emergency government staff out of Saudi Arabia, effective Oct. 23
Sportskeeda reports TKO faces roughly $90 million in losses if its Saudi WWE and UFC events are canceled
- 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
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Fighters in this story
Islam Makhachev
Alexander Volkanovski
Canelo Alvarez
Christian MbilliMore photos
How the story developed
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US orders non-emergency staff out of Saudi Arabia; TKO's Riyadh dates still standKnockout Daily
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White says UFC Qatar (Nov. 21) and UFC Saudi Arabia (Dec. 5) are going ahead despite the war
MMA Mania
Sources
Combat Sports UKSummarized with AI from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.
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