Saudi Arabia has been identified as a potential host for a multi-use mixed martial arts facility akin to the Ford Center at The Star in the US, the head of MMA organisation the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has said.
The Star is a partnership between the city of Frisco in Texas and the Dallas Cowboys football team. The $1.5 billion project, totalling 400,000 square feet, features more than 30 flexible event spaces that include a 12,000-seat indoor venue.
Donn Davis, chairman and founder of the PFL, said early discussions with officials in Saudi Arabia about a similar project had already taken place. It would be based in the kingdom’s $9.8 billion sports and entertainment giga-project Qiddiya.
“I think these kinds of things are going to happen. And I think Qiddiya is the most likely place from what I’ve seen in terms of the planning. We’ve had a lot of great discussions with them,” he told AGBI. “They’re really smart people, really smart groups and how they’re thinking about it. It’s just a matter of connecting the dots.”
Davis said the project could house a hall of fame, an event venue, a gym and facilities for training and coaches: “It’s not just a building. It has programmes and it has intellect and it has sex appeal that both fans and fighters want.”
Qiddiya will include parks and attractions, sports stadiums, and concert and entertainment venues.
Saudi Arabia’s SRJ Sports Investments acquired a minority stake in the PFL, reported to be worth $100 million, in August 2023.
The inaugural PFL Middle East league was launched last year. Four events were held in Riyadh as well as two pay-per-view events.
The first event held outside of Saudi Arabia is due to take place in Dubai on Saturday, a sell-out at the Coca-Cola Arena, in which undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov aims to defend his lightweight title against Ireland’s Paul Hughes.
“This is the year that we’re moving beyond Saudi Arabia,” said Davis.
That move covers the wider Gulf region, including the card in Dubai as well as plans for events in Abu Dhabi and Doha. Davis said further plans involve Egypt and Morocco as the league builds up to six events annually.
However, even as Davis continues to meet with potential backers – among them governments, wealth funds and family offices – he conceded any further expansion would not happen until PFL Middle East turns a profit. That is not expected for another two years.
“We don’t want to expand from four to six (destinations) until the product can sustain itself at that high level,” he said.
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