The long-rumored boxing league collaboration between TKO Group Holdings – the parent company of both UFC and WWE – and Saudi Arabia is official.
UFC CEO Dana White and TKO Board of Director Nick Khan joined Saudi Arabian Chairman of General Entertainment Authority Turki Alalshikh on Wednesday afternoon to present a ceremonial contract signing, marking the beginning of their joint venture in the sport.
Little information has been provided about the league thus far, although a social media post from White implied the promotion will follow a similar matchmaking system to that of UFC in MMA.
BOOOOOOM!!!!! Boxing here we come pic.twitter.com/XBRBT5mr3P
— danawhite (@danawhite) March 5, 2025
“The model is proven to deliver the fights that fans want to see,” White said, likely referring to UFC’s system of fighters all competing under one promoter. “The best will fight the best, and the fighters will continue to move up the rankings and become world champions.”
Sela, a Saudi Arabian entertainment company, will also serve as a partner in the deal.
Word first got out in January that TKO was in talks with Saudi Arabia to form a boxing league. A report from the New York Times wrote that the league was expected to sign “up-and-coming boxers” to exclusive deals to fight within their tour.
Saudi Arabia is not a surprising partner for TKO to work with. The company has deals with the company on both their UFC and WWE sides. UFC hosted its first-ever Fight Night card in Riyadh last year and returned last month for another trip to the Saudi Arabian capital.
Under a multi-year agreement with the country, WWE has hosted major shows in Saudi Arabia since 2018. Their biggest event yet will come in early 2026 when the annual Royal Rumble is expected to go down in Riyadh.
The country has dumped millions of dollars into boxing over the years, hosting super-cards in the sport and buying up major properties in the scene like Ring Magazine. Their actions have been criticized by some as “sportswashing,” the act of providing sport to “promote or burnish the individual’s or group’s reputation, especially amid controversy or scandal,” per Britannica.
A press release issued Wednesday said that schedules, fighter signings, and event locations will be released “in the coming months.”
