Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming a major destination for international fight fans—and in 2025, the UFC is staking its claim. Following a successful debut in June 2024 at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, the promotion returns on February 1, 2025, with UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov at the state-of-the-art anb Arena, a central fixture of Riyadh Season. Spearheading this milestone card is former two‑time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, facing France’s Nassourdine Imavov in a high‑stakes rematch on a globally televised Fight Night.
In collaboration with Saudi’s General Entertainment Authority, the UFC is poised to expand further: expect future events that feature female fighters, attract crowds of 30,000-plus, and integrate outreach activities like MMA workshops and fan meet‑and‑greets—all under Saudi Vision 2030’s broader goal of sports and entertainment diversification.
The Rise of UFC in Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia’s push into global sports—from golf to boxing and MMA—is a critical part of its Vision 2030 initiative. Under GEA chief Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season, the kingdom is pouring billions into entertainment and hosting international events.
A landmark UFC debut: June 22, 2024
- First UFC event in the kingdom: UFC on ABC 6 headlined by Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev, held at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, marking a historic milestone.
- Alalshikh described fans staying until 1 a.m., with ~12,000 in attendance, and pledged to host a much larger subsequent card with women fighters involved.
2025 Plans & Beyond: What’s Confirmed and What’s Coming
Already delivered: UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov (Feb 1, 2025)
- Held at anb Arena in Riyadh, with Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov headlining a Fight Night card rather than PPV—Adesanya’s first non-pay-per‑view bout since 2017.
- Bonus awards went to undercard fighters (Oliveira vs Nurmagomedov, Imavov, Grad) showing strong depth in the region’s interest in high-caliber fights.
PFL Expansion: PFL MENA 1 (May 9, 2025)
- A major PFL event held in Jeddah’s Onyx Arena, featuring quarterfinals in lightweight and featherweight divisions as part of Season 2 in the MENA tournament.
- Illustrates growing competition and opportunity for MMA fans in Saudi Arabia beyond UFC.
Coming soon: Another major UFC card in late 2024 or early 2025
- Alalshikh has confirmed the second UFC Saudi card will be 2–3× bigger than the June 2024 debut, aiming for venues hosting 30,000 spectators and women’s fights included..
- Partnership extended through Riyadh Season ensures more UFC fight nights—and even Power Slap events are coming to Riyadh as part of the deal.
Data Table: Key UFC & MMA Activity in Saudi Arabia
| Event | Date | Location | Main Event | Attendance / Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC on ABC 6 | June 22, 2024 | Riyadh (Kingdom Arena) | Whittaker vs. Chimaev | ~12,000 fans, target → 30,000 next |
| UFC Fight Night #250 | Feb 1, 2025 | Riyadh (anb Arena) | Adesanya vs. Imavov | Premium card; multi-fight bonuses |
| PFL MENA 1 (PFL Season) | May 9, 2025 | Jeddah (Onyx Arena) | MENA lightweight & featherweight bracket | Regional tournament, growing interest |
What Fans Can Expect in 2025 and Beyond
1. Larger Main Cards & Diverse Lineups
Saudi Arabia is targeting stadium-level attendance, inclusion of high-profile fighters such as women stars, and big-name headliners in future cards.
2. Broader Combat Sports Ecosystem
Expect UFC, PFL, Power Slap, and soon TKO-backed boxing leagues under the Public Investment Fund and TKO Group—possibly launching major Canelo vs. Crawford matchups by 2025-26.
3. Record-breaking Revenue & Global Sponsorship
- UFC’s UFC 306 in Las Vegas, sponsored by Riyadh Season, generated over $21.8 million in ticket revenue alone—now the richest UFC gate on record.
- Saudi-backed events help push UFC and TKO toward new commercial frontiers.
4. Local Access for Fans
Media partners like DAZN now hold Riyadh Season broadcast rights, ensuring viewers across MENA and abroad can follow more events in booming Saudi seasons.
Case Study: Adesanya vs. Imavov Highlights What Works
- Unconventional Fight Night Setup: Despite being a non-PPV, Israel Adesanya took the main event—marking a shift in format and fan engagement strategies.
- Undercard Value: Bonus-worthy fights like Oliveira vs Nurmagomedov indicate star power beyond headliners..
- Built on Momentum: Uses prior success of the debut event as leverage to expand scope—perfect for local or regional marketing.
Future Outlook: 2026 & Beyond
- More Stadium Events: With the kingdom’s ambition, expect UFC stadium cards, large-scale PFL seasons, and cross-promoted TKO boxing events.
- Greater Local Talent Spotlight: A growing spotlight on Middle East and North African MMA athletes, boosting local stars to global platforms.
- Regulatory Reforms: Overhaul like the updated Ali Act legislation may favor TKO/Saudi partnerships and reshape boxing and MMA in the region.
