Final 12 months, we received the report that UFC goes to do a Saudi Arabia card in 2024. Dana White instructed media members that Vince McMahon was ‘key’ in making that deal. Now, that card which was initially deliberate to be on March 2nd is pushed again to June 22.
Initially, Ariel Helwani got here out with the knowledge that the occasion was postponed on Saudi’s request, as a result of the hosts deemed the proposed card not being satisfying for his or her appetites. Dana White got here out after UFC 297 to disclaim these claims, stating that it was UFC’s initiative to postpone the occasion, as a result of UFC desires to placed on the best Battle Night time within the historical past of the corporate.
With many athletes turning into obtainable on that June date, the UFC is completely going to make a particular, stacked card for this Battle Night time. We’re positive to have an occasion that resembles a PPV greater than a UFC Battle Night time. However, the query now’s: what are the potential matchups for the Saudi occasion and with this alcohol ban raise – some new, wild choices is likely to be in for the UFC.
Saudi Arabia lifts alcohol ban after 70+ years – Conor McGregor returns?
We’ve all seen McGregor’s eccentric announcement for his future battle with Michael Chandler. Conor claimed the battle will occur on the Worldwide Battle Week (scheduled for June twenty ninth based on McGregor, however not confirmed by the UFC but).
On Thursday, information broke out that Saudi Arabia lifted the alcohol ban and can permit alcohol gross sales for the primary time after 72 years! In a now deleted tweet/X, McGregor reposted the information, celebrating the dominion’s determination.
The small print of this modification of legislation state that alcohol will likely be obtainable in specialised shops, solely for the non-Muslim diplomats. Which means that nearly all of the Kingdom’s inhabitants gained’t be affected by this new coverage. Though, it is a very massive step in permitting alcohol, after the nation’s 1952 prohibition.
Again to MMA now! What does this imply for the UFC and may Conor McGregor be concerned within the first UFC Battle Night time card, since 2015? Clearly not your abnormal UFC FN occasion, as Dana White acknowledged that the Gulf kingdom operates on a ‘totally different stage’ on the subject of internet hosting occasions. That may imply one factor – a bit of tweak and Conor McGregor fights on UFC’s Saudi Arabia card!
From his initially made out plans to compete on June twenty ninth, this may’ve been a minor change that moved his plans for per week earlier, to be able to stack the Riyadh card. As nothing is for sure with McGregor as of late, that is simply hypothesis and a attainable possibility. Primarily a step within the course of opening for vacationers, this determination by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also can carry again MMA’s largest star on the planet.
Group Khabib/Dagestan fighters to be on UFC Saudi Arabia – Islam and Umar
Ramadan begins on the night of March tenth this 12 months and lasts for 30 days, till April eighth. In that timeframe, some well-known Muslim fighters of the UFC gained’t be capable to compete, however will likely be prepared simply in time for June’s Riyadh card.
Islam Makhachev is the number one star for the Dagestan camp (presently competing within the UFC) and stands because the pound-for-pound king at present. He’s most likely essentially the most well-known Muslim fighter on the roster and presently essentially the most dominant champion within the UFC. Initially scheduled to have a rematch with Oliveira, Makhachev confronted Alexander Volkanovski in a rematch, the final time he competed within the Octagon.
Scoring a 1st spherical knockout of the featherweight king – Islam Makhachev seemingly put an finish to this rivalry and climbed the highest of the pound-for-pound rankings. The Dagestan fighter claimed after the bout that he can break all of the data and simply desires the UFC to provide him the chance, by inserting worthy opponents in entrance of him.
With many followers nonetheless craving that Charles Oliveira rematch, Islam might face the Brazilian former champ in Riyadh. All of the plans and the matchmaking must be revealed after UFC 300 although, as Justin Gaethje has an opportunity to say that no 1 contender spot himself.
Umar Nurmagomedov lastly getting again within the Octagon
Recently, Umar Nurmagomedov has been very vocal on his social media accounts, claiming that his greatest years are being wasted by simply coaching arduous on the fitness center and nobody eager to compete in opposition to him. Definitely, one of the crucial averted fighters within the UFC proper now – Nurmagomedov has some extent.
Fact be instructed, Khabib’s cousin and one of many brightest bantamweight prospects on the planet did undergo a shoulder surgical procedure in late summer season of 2023, so he was faraway from competing for a few months. Now, again in full form, nobody appears to need that battle in opposition to him, based on Umar and his supervisor Ali.
Merely, absolutely the domination and destruction of his opponents to date, places him up there as essentially the most harmful Bantamweight fighter within the UFC. A attainable opponent for his return could be Cory Sandhagen. ‘Sandman’ and Umar had been already scheduled to battle on August fifth, however that was the time when Nurmagomedov needed to go for shoulder surgical procedure.
As each athletes are actually seemingly 100% and coming off of their respective surgical procedures – there is no such thing as a higher time and place for that battle to occur then June twenty second, UFC Battle Night time: Saudi Arabia. What are another matchups that you simply wish to see on this card? A attainable Khamzat Chimaev return? Tell us!
