After scratching a date in March, the UFC has a new debut set for Saudi Arabia.
On Wednesday, Saudia Arabia’s Chairman of General Authority for Entertainment Turki Alalshikh announced on social media that the card had shifted from March 2 to June 22, 2024.
In a brief statement and accompanying press release, Alaishikh revealed that “the premier combat event was originally planned to take place on Saturday, March 24. A decision to reschedule was taken to ensure the best caliber of talent will be available to participate.”
UFC CEO Dana White was also quoted in the release as saying that “This is just going to be a type of card that we’ve never done before, it’s going to be: every fight is a must-see fight.”
White issued a similar statement regarding UFC 300, and has denied reports that the Saudi Arabia card was shifted because the Kingdom was displeased by an underwhelming line-up. During the UFC 297 post-fight press conference this past weekend, White called those claims “a straight-out f*cking lie” and noted that not one fight had been announced for the March 2 event, which has since been moved to the Apex in Las Vegas.
While technically correct — the promotion had not officially announced any fights — several had been reported, with the biggest names involved including Mohammad Mokaev and Jair Rozenstruik. Either way, White noted that the promotion agreed to move the card after several talents they had hoped would compete at UFC Saudi Arabia turned out to be unavailable.
There’s no word on a headliner for the June 22, 2024 date at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but the promotion now has plenty of time to properly build the event.
Rival promotion PFL is beating the UFC to the punch in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, meanwhile. They’ll host their PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions are in Riyadh on February 24.
