UFC and WWE’s TKO Group Unveils New Saudi-Backed Boxing League

• TKO Group and Saudi Arabia Join Forces to Revolutionize Boxing.

• Inside the New Boxing League: Leadership, Talent Development, and Facilities.

• Saudi Arabia’s Expanding Influence in Combat Sports and Its Vision for Boxing.

TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has completed a multi-year agreement with the Saudi General Entertainment Authority and Sela.

GEAS is a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, and the partnership is to create a new boxing league. Also, the deal involves taking on other major boxing promoters including Golden Boy Promotions, Top Rank, and Matchroom Boxing to promote the new league.

This partnership aims to reshape the future of boxing and provide a global platform for emerging talent and top boxers.

Saudi Arabia, led by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, has been increasingly involved in boxing, hosting major events, including Tyson Fury’s upcoming heavyweight bouts.

The Kingdom’s financial commitment to sports, totaling £5 billion since 2021, is part of its broader strategy to diversify its economy away from oil dependency.

In a joint statement, Alalshikh and TKO announced a multi-year collaboration to create the new boxing promotion.

TKO will oversee daily operations, with UFC President Dana White and WWE president Nick Khan in key leadership roles.

White said: “We have just done a deal to start a new boxing league with Turki, who loves the sport of boxing.”

He added: “The model is proven to deliver the fights that the fans want to see. The best will fight the best, and the fighters will continue to move up the rankings and become world champions.”

Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO, described the initiative as a “strategic opportunity to reimagine the sport of boxing globally.”

Mark continued: “Together, we are developing the next generation of talent and delivering world-class events at a time when the sport is primed for further disruption.”

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Alalshikh emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, “I give the flag of boxing to the best man who can handle it. You have a tough job now, but I am sure he will be delivering to the people and the fans, a magnificent league and get boxing great again.”

He further expressed his excitement, saying, “This landmark partnership between industry powerhouses sets the stage for an unparalleled experience for boxers and fans.”

The new league promises to feature a structured system to develop global boxing talent, including athlete academies and access to the world-renowned UFC Performance Institute.

The promotion will benefit from TKO’s expertise in media, production, and promotion, ensuring high-quality broadcasts and live experiences for fans.

While key details, including the promotion’s name, fighter signings, and event schedules, are yet to be revealed, both TKO and Saudi officials are confident this partnership will revolutionize boxing and attract global attention.

“We will continue to make announcements on where you can watch and all the rest of the details on the business as we get closer to the launch, I’ll see you soon,” added White.

With ongoing investments in sports and entertainment, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its position as a major player in the global sporting landscape.

This new venture is expected to deliver thrilling matchups, to bring the best fighters together in a dynamic new league. Fans can look forward to exciting updates as the project moves closer to its launch.

Stay tuned for more updates as this exciting venture unfolds.!

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