Can a Saudi Arabian trillionaire assemble a mega mixed martial arts (MMA) fight?
The 2024 Professional Fighters League (PFL) Championships went down yesterday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring six fighters capturing world titles. But, more important, the half-dozen winners all received “life-changing” paydays of $1 million for winning their respective championship fights.
Checkout all of the highlights here.
Before the ESPN+ main card, PFL CEO, Peter Murray, spoke with talkSPORT, revealing that Saudi Arabia wants to host a potential fight (at this point, a dream fight) between Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, and PFL Super Fight champion, Francis Ngannou.
“We’re supportive of a [crossover fight],” Murray said. “I mean, the fighters want the fight, Jon Jones wants the fight, Francis wants the fight, we want the fight, our partners here in Saudi want the fight. It really comes down to if UFC wants to step up … period.”
It’s an uphill climb (Sisyphus-type level).
That’s right, potential fight between “Jones vs. Ngannou” has been discussed and dissected one million times by now—and yes, you all know the answer by now: PFL really wants to make the fight, while Dana White and Co. have zero interest.
In fact, White has claimed he will “never work with Ngannou again,” considering him a “bad guy.” However, White hasn’t said, “No” to Saudi Arabia’s massive influence. Can UFC’s head honcho really close the door to the fight when a the oil-rich nation literally prints money?
Nevertheless, MMA media has asked White several times about a “Jones vs. Ngannou” matchup sponsored by Riyadh Season, and he usually changes the subject or gives a, “you never know” answer.
The cold, hard truth is that UFC gains nothing from crossing over with PFL, and because of that, the mega fight will more than likely never happen.
BUT, money talks …
Saudi Arabian billionaires also want to use our women as port a potties
The Saudis have done some great stuff in Boxing.
Would be amazing if they could work some of their magic in MMA too.
Jones vs Ngannou is a fight we should have seen years a go but I would still love to see it.
Jones doesn’t even want to fight Aspinall. Dude definitely doesn’t want that Ngannou smoke.
Trillionaire? Fuck sakes.
If Prince goat fucker orders Dana to make the fight, he’s making the fight.