The Middle East has rapidly become a premier destination for major sporting events, with combat sports being a notable draw. From boxing to MMA, countries like Saudi Arabia have emerged as hosts for high-profile events, and it's clear why the region is favored.
YouTuber-turned-pro boxer and PFL Fighter Jake Paul shared insights on the growing popularity of combat sports in the Middle East. “I think the fight game is developing [in Saudi Arabia], and it’s becoming more and more usual to go there," said Paul. "They have a ton of fight fans, which is the most important thing for a fight city."
Paul, who joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL) as a fighter and Head of Fighter Advocacy last year, confirmed that the PFL is returning to Saudi Arabia for its "Battle of the Giants" event. The headline bout features former UFC Champion Francis Ngannou making his highly anticipated PFL SmartCage debut against 2023 PFL Heavyweight Champion Renan Ferreira.
Paul explained that Saudi Arabia was the natural choice for such a monumental event: “The fight fans there love Francis, and I think it’s a perfect spot for him to fight... This is gonna be a massive fight, so it needed a massive place like Saudi to put the show on.”
Earlier this year, PFL held its first event in Saudi Arabia with the "PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions" card in Riyadh. This was followed by the launch of PFL MENA, which has successfully hosted two events in the region, signaling the growing demand for MMA in the Middle East.
Paul also hinted at expanding the PFL’s presence further in the region. “There’s definitely been conversations behind the scenes of going to Abu Dhabi or Dubai. I would love to take a fight there, and I have a lot of fans in both those places.”
With the "Battle of the Giants" set for October 19th in Mayadeen, Saudi Arabia, it’s clear that the PFL is looking to cement the Middle East as a key player in the global combat sports scene, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai potentially next in line.