Dana White: Stadium Show Likely for Spain, Qatar in the Works

Dana White, UFC 309
Dana White, UFC 309 post-fight press conference Credit: Jake Noecker/Cageside Press

The UFC continues to work to get back to a full road schedule (mostly, though some Apex shows may be here to stay), and it appears the Middle East will continue to be a big part of that.

Asked about traveling to another Arab country following UFC Saudi Arabia, UFC President and CEO Dana White told journalists attending the card’s post-fight press conference that “We started this whole thing over in Abu Dhabi, came over here and did this, and we’re talking to Qatar right now too.”

The UFC has never been to Qatar, which has hosted events from rival Asian promotion ONE Championship.

White was also asked about hosting a stadium show in Europe, similar to the large-scale events Poland’s KSW puts on in the region. While the UFC has historically avoided stadium shows, they have put on a few, including in Toronto, Canada and Melbourne, Australia.

Dana White does see one more stadium event possible, if only due to the lack of available arenas. That would come in Spain, where current UFC featherweight champ Ilia Topuria would no doubt love to fight.

“If we went into a place that- you know when we go into Spain for the first time, we’re probably going to do have to do a stadium type show because of the arenas they have,” stated White. “And I do know that promotion [KSW], and they do do very well, and they run a really good business. I know it, I’ve seen some of their footage online where the arenas are packed. I’m assuming that they do well and make money. Good for them.”

Good news for fans hoping to see Topuria, who is of Spanish and Georgian descent, fight in front of the largest possible crowd.