MMA News

Tag: Turki Alalshikh

  • Zuffa Boxing Broadcast Deal Puts Events On Paramount Platforms Starting 2026

    Zuffa Boxing Broadcast Deal Puts Events On Paramount Platforms Starting 2026

    Zuffa Boxing has found its exclusive streaming home with Paramount+.

    On Monday, TKO Group, the parent company of UFC and WWE, revealed that its boxing promotion will stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, with Paramount Skydance Corp. serving as the exclusive broadcast partner.

    The partnership will kick off in 2026 with 12 live cards and supplemental programming, with plans for further expansion in the years ahead.

    According to a press release, the fights will be accessible through Paramount’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, Paramount+. Beyond 2026, the number of live cards is set to grow, with select bouts also slated to air on CBS and other Paramount streaming platforms.

    Zuffa Boxing is the newly launched professional boxing promotion created by TKO Group in partnership with entertainment conglomerate Sela. It is led by a powerhouse team including UFC CEO Dana White, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, Sela CEO Dr. Rakan Alharthy, and WWE President and TKO director Nick Khan.

    The announcement comes on the heels of UFC’s major broadcasting shift from ESPN to Paramount, sealed last month with a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal set to begin in 2026. Under the agreement, UFC will feature a full schedule of 13 premier numbered events and 30 Fight Nights, marking a move away from most traditional pay-per-view models.

    Dana White and Turki Alalshikh
    Image: @Turki_alalshikh/Instagram

    Dana White Weighs In On Zuffa Boxing Deal With Paramount

    Dana White expressed his enthusiasm about the Zuffa Boxing deal with Paramount. The UFC CEO highlighted that the partnership will bring high-quality boxing to a global audience, giving fans access to both rising talent and established stars.

    “I’m excited to bring great boxing events to a global audience,” White said in a press release. “There are millions of boxing fans that will now be able to watch competitive fights with up-and-coming boxers as well as the biggest stars in the sport. Paramount will be the home for UFC and boxing fans to watch the greatest fights in combat sports.”

    Image: CBSSports.com
  • Paramount In Advanced Talks, Nearing Deal With Zuffa Boxing

    Paramount In Advanced Talks, Nearing Deal With Zuffa Boxing

    Just one day after Paramount acquired the UFC in a major money deal, they look to suddenly be adding another piece of the TKO pie to their empire.

    Per a report from Front Office Sports, Paramount is now being considered the “front-runner” to acquire Zuffa Boxing, the TKO-backed boxing promotion that is being overseen by Dana White, the CEO and president of the UFC, and Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia.

    This news comes approximately 30 hours after the UFC inked a new $7.7 billion U.S. broadcasting rights deal with Paramount, which is slated to begin in January.

    Terms of a deal are currently unavailable.

    Zuffa Boxing is slated to begin as a fight league in 2026; however, they will serve as the main promoter for the upcoming Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight that takes place in Las Vegas on September 13 and airs on Netflix.

    The FOS report states TKO will promote 2-3 “super fights” per year with Saudi Arabia.

    Zuffa Boxing Nearing Deal With Paramount One Day After New UFC U.S. Broadcasting Agreement

    “This is a low risk and TKO receives a roughly $10 million fee for serving as the managing partner and providing day-to-day operational management oversight,” Shapiro said in an earnings call last week. “And that’s all margin for us. TKO has no funding obligation.

    “We get a fee to promote it, each one of these super fights. We get a fee to negotiate the media rights for each fight, which IMG does. So another reason we’re strong and proud that we brought IMG into the fold of our flywheel. We get a fee for On Location to sell hospitality packages. And we will put Zuffa Boxing fighters on the undercard of each of these super fights. We expect to net on average another 10 million [dollars] for every super fight we manage and promote.”

    The UFC’s new broadcasting deal in the U.S. with Paramount, signed on August 11, will see 43 fight cards (13 numbered UFC events and 30 Fight Night cards) air on the Paramount+ streaming service. A number of those numbered cards (White and TKO executives Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro have given differing answers) will be simulcast on the linear CBS network.

    Certain platforms, however, were not part of the agreement. Zuffa Boxing was one of these, as well as Dana White’s Contender Series, The Ultimate Fighter, and Road to UFC.

    White teased yesterday that a broadcasting partner for Zuffa Boxing had been agreed upon but not yet announced. This included speculation on if ESPN would be involved in airing Zuffa Boxing after it parted ways with Top Rank Boxing last month.

    ESPN is the current home of the UFC, though that deal expires in December. Last week, ESPN signed a five-year, $325 million U.S. broadcasting deal with the WWE, also under the TKO umbrella, to broadcast their Premium Live Events (PLEs) on their new direct-to-consumer ESPN app that launched Thursday, August 21.

    Like the UFC-Paramount deal, Alalshikh announced last month that all Riyadh Season boxing cards, which air on DAZN, will no longer be pay-per-view beginning in November.

  • Turki Alalshikh Announces End Of PPV Pricing For Riyadh Season & The Ring Cards: “The PPV Model Has Damaged Boxing”

    Turki Alalshikh Announces End Of PPV Pricing For Riyadh Season & The Ring Cards: “The PPV Model Has Damaged Boxing”

    In an announcement that is jaw-dropping, but more than welcomed by combat sports fans around the world, Turki Alalshikh — the chair of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority — has announced the end of the pay-per-view model of Riyadh Season and The Ring cards on DAZN.

    Posting to X (fka Twitter), Alalshikh announced that this decision was made in partnership with DAZN, which broadcasts Riyadh Season boxing events, following a meeting with DAZN CEO Shay Segev.

    This will go into effect beginning with The Ring IV card on Saturday, November 22 — a card that features three — and potentially a fourth — world championship fights.

    “We have big vision to grow boxing and decide: No more Pay-Per-View,” Alalshikh posted. “Starting with our Ring Magazine show in November, all Riyadh Season & The Ring events will be free to DAZN subscribers. The PPV model has damaged boxing, and we will no longer support it. We are with the fight fans.”

    Turki Alalshikh: Riyadh Season & The Ring Cards To Be Free For DAZN Subscribers Beginning In November

    The news announced by Alalshikh also comes as the UFC, who Alalshikh also has a working relationship with, is in the midst of negotiations to find its new U.S. broadcasting home after its deal with ESPN expires at the end of this year. Some believe that the UFC could end up one way or another on Netflix — and the deal could be so financially massive some hope it ends the UFC’s usage of the pay-per-view model as well.

    When DAZN first launched in 2016, reaching the U.S. in 2018 right before an Anthony Joshua vs Alexander Povetkin heavyweight title fight, the hope was for this to be the start of the combat sports world eventually moving away from pay-per-view.

    Through a combination of factors, however, including the economics of combat sports (let alone boxing) — which included impacts DAZN, and the combat sports industry as a whole, were dealt during the COVID-19 pandemic — led DAZN to introduce pay-per-view events, beginning with the May 2022 clash between Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol.

    DAZN had some financial straits placed on it around that time. SportsPro reported a $1.3 billion loss for the streaming platform in 2020, and a 2021 Bloomberg article said DAZN’s losses swelled to $2.3 billion by that point — part of which came from acquisitions of soccer programing.

    DAZN also began a five-year broadcasting partnership with Bellator in 2018 before the two parted ways in 2020. DAZN executive Joe Markowski, in a 2022 appearance on The MMA Hour, did not go into specifics; however, he stated the early end of the contract was a “consequence of COVID.”

    The Ring IV in November will be headlined by WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez defending his title against Anthony Yarde. The co-main event will see Brian Norman Jr. defend his WBO welterweight title against unbeaten former undisputed lightweight champion and former WBC super lightweight champion Devin Haney.

    Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason, the top two lightweight contenders ranked by the WBO, will clash for the vacant championship.

    An undisputed champion at 115 pounds could also be determined on this November card. WBC junior bantamweight champion Jesse Rodriguez takes on WBO champion Phumelela Cafu on July 19, and if Rodriguez wins and unifies the WBC and WBO titles, he will then face WBA and IBF champion Fernando Martinez to determine the undisputed champion of the weight class at The Ring IV.

  • Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Named First TKO Boxing Event, Dana White To Promote

    Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Named First TKO Boxing Event, Dana White To Promote

    The announcements about Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford continue to pour out, and another one has been made by Turki Alalshikh hours after the fight was officially confirmed.

    The Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia has announced that Canelo vs. Crawford — which will take place on September 12 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas — will be the first TKO boxing event.

    In the announcement on social media, Alalshikh adds that the fight will be promoted by none other than UFC CEO Dana White.

    Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford To Be Held Under TKO Banner, Promoted By Dana White

    This follows the official formation of the yet-to-be-officially-named boxing league in March. The boxing promotion will be headed up by Alalshikh and White, as well as Nick Khan — CEO of the WWE. The UFC and WWE both fall under the TKO conglomerate after a merger featuring the two brands in 2023.

    While White had briefly teased a leap into boxing with the Zuffa Boxing brand during the 2010s — namely around the time of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor event — that idea came and went. But White had teased testing the boxing waters once again in recent years.

    The date of the Canelo vs. Crawford fight is one day prior to the Noche UFC 3 card — also known as UFC 320 — which is currently scheduled for September 13 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

    The TKO boxing league, in its initial announcement, teased details that included boxers having access to the UFC’s Performance Institute locations and TKO’s production team handling broadcast and promotion matters for both in-arena experiences and globally. TKO also promoted a structured system of talent development.

  • Pay Structure For Dana White, Turki Alalshikh’s Boxing Promotion Reportedly Leaked

    Pay Structure For Dana White, Turki Alalshikh’s Boxing Promotion Reportedly Leaked

    Fresh details have emerged about Dana White’s venture into the boxing world through his collaboration with Turki Alalshikh.

    Earlier this month, UFC CEO White and Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority chief Alalshikh joined forces to launch a major new boxing league under the TKO banner. The venture will also see WWE president Nick Khan take on a key role in the promotion’s executive board.

    The newly established promotion is set to revolutionize the boxing landscape with a structured system that claims to develop rising boxers from around the world by design. These athletes will also gain exclusive access to world-class training at the UFC Performance Institutes. Meanwhile, TKO will oversee all aspects of event production, aiming to deliver a premium spectacle for both live audiences and global broadcasts.

    While many details about the boxing promotion remain under wraps, anticipation continues to build within the combat sports community, sparking widespread speculation about its operations. Now, a crucial piece of information has now come to light.

    According to a recent report from Boxing Scene, key details about the pay structure for White’s upcoming boxing league have surfaced through a leaked contract.

    The document outlines purse distributions based on a boxer’s status within the yet-to-be-named promotion. As per the report, athletes will be classified into five distinct tiers, with pay scales varying between rising prospects and mid-level competitors.

    Boxer PurseBoxer’s level
    $20,00010 rounds. Unranked boxer.
    $50,000No. 5 – No. 10 ranked boxer as determined by the promotion.
    $125,000No. 3 – No. 4 ranked boxer as determined by the promotion.
    $375,000For the promotion’s title challengers.
    $750,000For the promotion’s reigning champions.

    The figures mentioned are not part of official contracts but provide clear insight into the pay structure White and co. plan to implement. The model closely mirrors the UFC’s promotional guidelines compliance pay, which follows a tiered system based on the number of fights a competitor has had within the organization.

    The report also disclosed that boxers who sign with the organization will receive an immediate $5,000 payment within three days of their contract signing. Fighters are required to commit to a three-year term beginning with their debut match and must remain under contract for at least two years from the “effective date” outlined in the agreement.

    Alalshikh, who owns The Ring Magazine, has previously emphasized that the new league’s ranking system will be separate from the publication’s traditional weight-class rankings.

    As for weight divisions, the UFC supremo has hinted at a streamlined approach, likely maintaining a select number of traditional categories similar to those in MMA. The league is expected to feature classic divisions such as flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight.

  • Canelo Optimistic Turki Alalshikh & Dana White’s Promotion Will Be Good For Boxing

    Canelo Optimistic Turki Alalshikh & Dana White’s Promotion Will Be Good For Boxing

    Canelo Alvarez, boxing’s global star, has recently made a series of high-profile moves that are reshaping his career. After signing a last-minute, multi-fight deal with influential advisor Turki Alalshikh, he parted ways with Premier Boxing Champions and potential clash with YouTube star Jake Paul. 

    This shift has positioned him for a reported blockbuster fight on Netflix. The unified super middleweight champion is set to make his Saudi Arabia debut on May 3, facing undefeated IBF titleholder William Scull in an undisputed 168-pound clash as part of Riyadh Season.

    However, the buzz surrounding Alvarez extends beyond his upcoming fight following the recent announcement of UFC’s Dana White and WWE’s Nick Khan leading TKO’s new boxing promotion, backed by Alalshikh and Saudi Arabia. 

    It has fueled speculation about Alvarez’s future. With the promotion’s anticipated debut in September, rumors are swirling that Canelo could headline against pound-for-pound boxing luminary Terence Crawford.

    This potential super-fight underscores the significant impact of the new promotion and the high-caliber matchups it aims to deliver.

    “There’s always an opportunity for me to fight in September in Las Vegas, those are my dates [along with Cinco de Mayo weekend in May] and everyone knows that,” Alvarez told CBS Sports HQ on Thursday. “We need to take care of the May fight first but there is an opportunity to fight in Vegas in September and be the first event for [TKO] as a promoter.”

    When questioned about the potential impact of Dana White and TKO’s foray into boxing, Canelo expressed optimism.

    “I think if it’s the best for the fighters out there, I’m fine with that,” Alvarez said. “I think [TKO] is going to do the best for the fighters, I’m pretty sure about that. I’m glad someone takes good care of the fighters because there are a lot of promoters that don’t take seriously the fighters. I think this is good for boxing and for the fighters, especially.”

  • Turki Alalshikh, Dana White Hint At Date For New Boxing Promotion’s Debut

    Turki Alalshikh, Dana White Hint At Date For New Boxing Promotion’s Debut

    Dana White and Turki Alalshikh may already have a target date in mind for the highly anticipated debut of their newly launched joint venture.

    On Tuesday, UFC CEO White and Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority chief Alalshikh officially unveiled a groundbreaking multi-year partnership to launch a new boxing league under the TKO banner.

    According to a press release, WWE president Nick Khan will serve as a key figure on the promotion’s executive board. Saudi entertainment giant Sela has joined the venture as a major partner. The company has been instrumental in organizing high-profile boxing events featuring superstars like Anthony Joshua and Terence Crawford.

    During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Turki Alalshikh and Dana White delved into their partnership. Amid their conversation, the Riyadh Season chief subtly hinted that the debut event for their new boxing promotion could be set for September, with Sept. 12 likely being the target date.

    However, White remained tight-lipped about a specific date for the promotion’s first event. The 55-year-old UFC boss teased that they have a blockbuster fight in the works.

    “When it’s time to announce, we have a massive fight – and this is literally exactly what I’m talking about – a massive fight that only this guy [Alalshikh] could make happen,” White said. “Only this guy could make a fight like this happen. We will announce it when we’re ready to. This is the guy who’s literally brought boxing back.”

    Sept. 12 could very well mark the debut of the newly launched boxing promotion, as it falls within Mexican Independence Week — a time traditionally reserved for major boxing events. Around this time almost each year, boxing icon Canelo Álvarez typically steps into the ring, and this year he’s expected to clash with Crawford in a superfight on Sept. 13.

    The new promotion will implement a comprehensive system designed to cultivate emerging talent from across the globe, featuring athlete combines and dedicated academies.

    Boxers will have access to the world-class UFC Performance Institutes, while TKO will oversee all aspects of event production, both for broadcast and live arena experiences.

  • Turki Alalshikh Backs Dana White To Make ‘Boxing Great Again’

    Turki Alalshikh Backs Dana White To Make ‘Boxing Great Again’

    A groundbreaking partnership has been forged between Turki Alalshikh and TKO Group Holdings, heralding the launch of a new boxing promotion.

    This boxing venture will be jointly steered by two prominent names in combat sports and entertainment: UFC CEO Dana White and WWE President Nick Khan.

    White’s renewed interest in boxing has been a subject of speculation for some time, with reports earlier in 2025 indicating advanced discussions between him and Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. These reports have now been confirmed with the official announcement of the partnership on Wednesay. 

    The collaboration, revealed through a press release, unites Alalshikh, TKO Group Holdings (formed by Endeavor through the merger of WWE and Zuffa LLC, UFC’s parent company), and the entertainment conglomerate Sela.

    Their shared ambition is to establish a new, “premier” platform that will redefine the landscape of professional boxing.

    “I am very happy today,” Alalshikh said. “I am very happy today. I give the flag of boxing to the best man who can handle it. We have a tough job now, but I am sure he will be delivering to the people and the fans the magnificent league and get boxing great again.”

    The landscape of combat sports is undergoing a significant shift, with Alalshikh playing a pivotal role in funding the effort. His involvement in high-profile boxing events has solidified his presence in the boxing world.

    The recent announcement of Saudi Arabia’s funding for a new boxing promotion, spearheaded by TKO, was largely anticipated. TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro had previously hinted at ongoing negotiations, teasing the possibility of two major cards in 2025 and 2026.

    Alalshikh’s influence extends beyond traditional boxing. He recently demonstrated a willingness to blend elements of MMA into boxing events with “The Last Crescendo” in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This card, held on Feb. 22, featured a stacked lineup of title fights, culminating in a captivating undisputed light heavyweight championship rematch between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.

  • Turki Alalshikh, TKO Partner For New Boxing Promotion Led By UFC’s Dana White

    Turki Alalshikh, TKO Partner For New Boxing Promotion Led By UFC’s Dana White

    Turki Alalshikh and TKO Group Holdings have announced a multi-year partnership that will see the creation of a brand new boxing promotion, the executive leadership of which will be jointly led by UFC CEO Dana White and WWE President Nick Khan.

    White has picked up talk of venturing back into the boxing realm in recent years, and the start of 2025 saw reports of the UFC chief being in advanced talks with Alalshikh — Saudi Arabia’s Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority — over a potential new league.

    That’s proved to be true, with the official partnership to establish a new promotion being announced Wednesday in a press release.

    The deal sees Alalshikh, TKO — founded by Endeavor as part of a merger between WWE and Zuffa LLC, the parent company of UFC — and entertainment conglomerate Sela come together in pursuit of providing the new “premier” platform in the sport of boxing.

    “This landmark partnership between industry powerhouses sets the stage for an unparalleled experience for boxers and fans,” Alalshikh said. “Together, we are developing the next generation of talent and delivering world-class events at a time when the sport is primed for further disruption.”

    The release outlined that TKO will serve as managing partner, providing day-to-day operational expertise, management, and oversight of the new boxing promotion.

    Meanwhile, Sela is credited for delivering international events such as Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov in Los Angeles and Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois in London, as well as being the lead sponsor for Newcastle United Football Club.

    Though further details will emerge in the coming weeks and months, the recent announcement did reveal some of the major components of the deal.

    • A highly structured system to develop new talent from around the world, including athlete combines and academies.
    • Access for all boxers to the UFC Performance Institute, the world’s leading combat sports performance training, research, rehabilitation, and nutrition center.
    • TKO’s production, media, and promotional expertise, to deliver both in-arena experiences and top-tier, state-of-the-art broadcasts to fans around the world.
  • Turki Alalshikh Has Two Options In Mind For Francis Ngannou’s Next Fight

    Turki Alalshikh Has Two Options In Mind For Francis Ngannou’s Next Fight

    Francis Ngannou has exciting options for his next fight, according to Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia.

    In his return to MMA, Ngannou secured an emphatic victory over Renan Ferreira at PFL: Battle of the Giants, leaving fans eager to see what the former UFC heavyweight champion will do next.

    Following the fight, Ngannou expressed his openness to competing in both MMA and boxing, though he noted that his next steps depend on the PFL presenting its offer.

    Alalshikh discussed Ngannou’s potential future during the DAZN Ariel X Ade show, where he floated the idea of a boxing showdown with Deontay Wilder.

    “Why don’t we see Ngannou against Wilder?” Alalshikh mused. “I need to sit with Wilder. In two minutes, I can gauge his condition and determine if he’s ready or not. I don’t want to waste time and money anymore. I need to check first if he’s still got it.”

    Ngannou, who plans to attend the anticipated Usyk vs. Fury rematch in December, is already in discussions about his future.

    “We have a lot of business together,” Alalshikh added. “I have two options on the table for Francis: one in MMA and one in boxing. I want to discuss them with him.”

    Alalshikh also emphasized his ambition to push boundaries with their MMA operations, promising big plans for the future.

  • Conor McGregor Hints At Major BKFC Event For Riyadh Season

    Conor McGregor Hints At Major BKFC Event For Riyadh Season

    Conor McGregor recently revealed that he is working closely with Turki Alalshikh to organize a massive bare-knuckle fighting event associated with Riyadh Season.

    “The Notorious” took on a part-ownership role in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) this past April, and since then, the gloveless combat sports promotion has soared to new heights. With McGregor frequently making larger-than-life appearances at events, the organization has captured the attention of fans worldwide.

    McGregor is diving headfirst into his new role as a promoter, making a splash last weekend in Marbella, Spain, where BKFC held a tripleheader championship event. The fight card was a success, but it seems the Irishman has something even bigger brewing for the near future.

    McGregor Teases ‘GOATs Of The Game’ Joining BKFC

    During a recent interview with The Schmo, McGregor opened up about the future of BKFC, revealing that he’s collaborating with Alalshikh to shine a spotlight on the promotion.

    “The Notorious” hinted at plans for a monumental bare-knuckle fighting event, with several famed combat sports fighters set to make their BKFC debut on the Riyadh Season card.

    “Stay tuned for what’s next, baby; we’re coming with some big Riyadh Season,” McGregor said. “Myself and Sheikh Turki have some mega announcements coming, and boy, oh boy, we have stacked the card of superstars for you all in Riyadh Season, and it’s going to happen really, really soon, my man.”

    Although McGregor held back from dropping any names, he promised that the matchups he’s crafting will lead to an epic showdown.

    “GOATs of the game are making that bare-knuckle debut, so this is going to blow the socks off people… Some of these matches I have made are going to blow your f**king mind.”

    Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, Alalshikh, has emerged as a significant catalyst for orchestrating some of the most notable boxing matches in recent years. Now, he has made his foray into the realm of MMA, having played a crucial role in the UFC’s inaugural event in Saudi Arabia and also sponsoring UFC 306, with Riyadh Season taking on that role.

  • BKFC President Teases Riyadh Season Collaboration: ‘Conor Had A Great Meeting…’

    BKFC President Teases Riyadh Season Collaboration: ‘Conor Had A Great Meeting…’

    BKFC continues to be on the up, no doubt thanks to Conor McGregor, who became a part owner of the promotion earlier this year in April.

    The UFC superstar certainly brings a lot of eyes and attention to whatever he’s doing, which in turn gives the promotion a lot more bargaining power than they once had.

    With “The Notorious” now attached, they can look to expand into areas that wouldn’t have been possible without the profile that the Irishman brings to the table.

    In his latest public appearance that got fans talking online, McGregor was in attendance at Wembley Stadium this past weekend for the Riyadh Season-backed Joshua vs Dubois event.

    It appears that “The Mac” had some business to attend to after enjoying himself in London.

    David Feldman Says Conor McGregor Has Already Held Meetings About BKFC-Riyadh Season Collaboration

    In a recent interview on the Energized Show, BKFC founder David Feldman spoke about the promotion’s upcoming plans for the near future.

    Turki Alalshikh and the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority have been able to make a huge impact on boxing by making events bigger and better than ever before.

    If BKFC was able to get in on the act in any way, it could be huge for the growth of the promotion and the sport of bare-knuckle boxing as a whole.

    When asked about whether a collaboration with Riyadh Season would be possible at some point down the line, Feldman said that there may be an update on that not too far away.

    Feldman said that McGregor has already been in talks to try and make this happen.

    “Yeah, news coming. Conor had a great meeting with them yesterday. Fantastic news coming.”

    Read also: ‘Selfish’ UFC Told To Financially Compensate Michael Chandler For Conor McGregor Wait

  • Randy Couture On Whether Saudi Arabia Can Make UFC vs PFL Happen: ‘That Kinda Money…’

    Randy Couture On Whether Saudi Arabia Can Make UFC vs PFL Happen: ‘That Kinda Money…’

    Randy Couture recently offered his thoughts on whether Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority head, Turki Alalshikh, possesses the influence to bring the highly anticipated super fight between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones to life.

    For years, the most monumental heavyweight bout the UFC could have delivered was a showdown between Ngannou and then-light-heavyweight champion Jones, who declared his intent to move up a weight class in 2020. However, a bitter contract dispute with UFC CEO Dana White led to “The Predator” entirely parting ways with the organization. Ngannou later inked a multi-fight deal with the PFL, which included the freedom to explore his passion for boxing.

    White has repeatedly asserted that it was Ngannou who blocked the eagerly awaited matchup, while the former heavyweight champion countered by saying that it was “Bones” who was reluctant to fight him as he tried to negotiate a new contract to remain with the UFC. In the end, any negotiations that were in place fell through.

    However, now with Saudi Arabia owning a modest share in the PFL, Alalshikh seemingly has the sway to potentially orchestrate this long-dreamed-of clash. Even White, who has traditionally opposed cross-promotion, was questioned about the possibility during the UFC 303 post-fight press conference in June, and surprisingly, he didn’t dismiss the notion outright.

    “The Natural” thinks the UFC would never gamble with their reigning champion by jeopardizing a loss to someone like Ngannou, whose stock continues to soar. However, he believes the Ngannou vs. Jones clash could become a reality if authorities higher than White step in to make it happen…

    Couture Sees TKO CEO & Alalshikh As Key To Ngannou vs. Jones Fight

    During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Couture shared his thoughts on the likelihood of a Ngannou vs. Jones showdown ever materializing. The former two-division champion expressed his doubt, stating that it’s highly improbable the UFC would ever agree to a cross-promotion bout.

    “I don’t see the champ in the UFC ever getting a shot at fighting the champ from PFL or any other organization for that matter, and that’s unfortunate,” Couture said. “That’s a shame that the fans are never going to get to see those types of matchups. That’s one of the flaws and issues in our sport right now.”

    However, “The Natural” added that a bout of such magnitude could only come to fruition with the involvement of UFC’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, under the leadership of CEO Ari Emanuel, along with the influence of Alalshikh.

    “At the end of the day, I think Ari [Emanuel] is the one calling the shots. He’s the one who bought the company from Zuffa. It’s his business. He has shareholders and people he has to answer to, and he needs to do what’s best for the bottom line for that company, which includes WWE and UFC and everything that’s going on there.”

    “Certainly, what the Saudis are holding and what they’re doing with LIV Golf, and all the other things that they’re doing to build culture and create opportunity for their citizens and their athletes in their country, that [fight] could very well happen because that kind of money can make a lot of things happen.”

  • MMA News Today: Video Shows Paddy Pimblett Reacting Backstage To ‘Most Boring Champion’ Belal Muhammad’s UFC 304 Crowning, Turki Alalshikh Says UFC’s Sphere Card ‘Will Eat’ Canelo Match On Sept. 14, & More

    MMA News Today: Video Shows Paddy Pimblett Reacting Backstage To ‘Most Boring Champion’ Belal Muhammad’s UFC 304 Crowning, Turki Alalshikh Says UFC’s Sphere Card ‘Will Eat’ Canelo Match On Sept. 14, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 30, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Pimblett scolds Muhammad after title win
    • Alalshikh gives strong prediction for UFC vs. Canelo
    • Sonnen points out that Aspinall is finishing big guys with ease

    Paddy Pimblett Posts Reaction To UFC 304 Main Event, Belal Muhammad Becoming Champion

    A video posted on Paddy Pimblett’s YouTube channel gives fight fans a behind the scenes look at his fight night experience this past weekend.

    “The Baddy” delivered one of the performances of the night at UFC 304 in Manchester when he submitted King Green in the first round to earn a lightweight ranking.

    The main event, however, did not end on such good terms for the UK fighters and fans as Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards to become the welterweight champion.

    In the video, Pimblett is seen reacting to the official decision before going on to label Muhammad as the “most boring champion ever.”

    Turki Alalshikh Not Worried About Saudi-Backed UFC 306 Going Up Against Canelo Álvarez

    It’s incredibly rare to see any major sporting events going up against the UFC, but that is exactly what Canelo Álvarez will look to do on September 14 with his fight against Edgar Berlanga.

    Alvarez has a track record for fighting on Mexican Independence Day, but he missed out on this last year after the UFC booked the T-Mobile Arena for the first Noche UFC card.

    The MMA leader will instead be hosting UFC 306 this year at the Sphere, which is being built up to be an event like no other.

    Part of the reason that both events are going head-to-head in Las Vegas is because UFC 306 is being sponsored by Riyadh Season and the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority, which has allowed the UFC to go big on this particular card, meaning Álvarez could run the T-Mobile on this occasion.

    Speaking to ESPN, Turki Alalshikh gave a short response to how he believes the Saudi-backed Sphere event will compete with Álvarez.

    “We will eat him,”

    Chael Sonnen Says Tom Aspinall Is Doing Something That Even Mike Tyson Struggled With

    Tom Aspinall’s incredible ability to end fights early on means that he has unbelievably low amounts of Octagon time despite being a world champion.

    The interim heavyweight champ has said it himself that he wants opponents to test him in deeper waters but nobody can take him there.

    Following his one-minute finish over Curtis Blaydes this past weekend, Chael Sonnen was full of praise for the Brit in a recent YouTube video.

    He compared Aspinall to arguably the greatest knockout artist combat sports has ever seen and said that he is even capable of finishing fights in ways that Mike Tyson couldn’t even accomplish.

    “Mike Tyson had a hard time putting down the heavyweights that were 240, 250, 260 [pounds]. These are the guys that Tom is touching one time; this is shocking power. Tom is getting guys out of here so quickly. I don’t love the reality that in three years, Tom has been in the ring for about three minutes, but the other side of it is, what are you going to do? How are you going to stop him?”

    Read more on the story here.

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