Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has acquired a stake in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), as part of its sports investment push. The investment aims to nurture local and regional talent in martial arts, promote gender equality in sport, and bring new opportunities to Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region. This article discusses the rise of mixed martial arts (MMA) in Saudi Arabia, recent successes of Saudi fighters, and the plans of the PFL to launch a regional league and organize mega-events in the country.
| Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has acquired a minority stake in the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
| The investment aims to nurture local and regional talent in martial arts, promote gender equality in sport, and bring new opportunities to Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.
| Mixed martial arts (MMA) has gained popularity in Saudi Arabia, with the rise of fighters from the Middle East and the establishment of a national MMA foundation.
| Saudi fighters Abdullah al-Qahtani and Mostafa Rashed Neda recently won high-profile bouts in New York’s Madison Square Garden, organized by the US-based PFL.
| The PFL plans to launch a regional league next year and organize other mega-events in Saudi Arabia.
| The value of the deal between the PIF and the PFL was reported to be $100 million by the Financial Times.
| Saudi Arabia has been making significant investments in various sports, including golf, Formula One, and football, raising allegations of ‘sportswashing.’
Saudi Arabia’s Sports Investment Push
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has acquired a minority stake in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). This marks the first deal sealed by SRJ Sports Investments, a new company unveiled by the PIF. The investment aims to nurture local and regional talent in martial arts, promote gender equality in sport, and bring new opportunities to Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.
Sports have played a significant role in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to rebrand as a global business and tourism destination under the Vision 2030 reform agenda. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the PIF chairman, has been leading this initiative.
The popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA) has been on the rise in Saudi Arabia. Just a decade ago, the sport had a limited following in the country. However, the establishment of a national MMA foundation and the success of fighters from the Middle East have contributed to its growth. Saudi fighters Abdullah al-Qahtani and Mostafa Rashed Neda recently won high-profile bouts in New York’s Madison Square Garden, organized by the US-based PFL.
The PFL plans to launch a regional league next year and organize other mega-events in Saudi Arabia. The value of the deal between the PIF and the PFL was not disclosed, but it was reported to be $100 million by the Financial Times.
Saudi Arabia has been making significant investments in various sports, including golf, Formula One, and football. These moves have attracted attention and raised allegations of ‘sportswashing,’ which refers to using sports to divert attention from Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
