Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has acquired a minority stake in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), marking the first deal by SRJ Sports Investments. This investment aims to nurture the local and regional talent pool in martial arts, promote gender equality in sport, and bring new opportunities to Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.
| Key Points |
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| Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has acquired a minority stake in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). |
| This investment aims to nurture the local and regional talent pool 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 fighters from across the Middle East contributing to the sport’s growth. |
| Saudi fighters Abdullah al-Qahtani and Mostafa Rashed Neda recently achieved high-profile victories in New York’s Madison Square Garden, organized by the US-based PFL. |
| The PFL plans to launch a regional league next year and host other major events in Saudi Arabia. |
| Saudi Arabia’s sports investment push extends beyond MMA, with significant moves in golf, Formula One, and football. |
| These endeavors have faced criticism for potentially diverting attention from Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. |
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), marking the first deal by SRJ Sports Investments. This investment aims to nurture the local and regional talent pool in martial arts, promote gender equality in sport, and bring new opportunities to Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.
Combining elements of boxing, judo, and Muay Thai, mixed martial arts (MMA) has gained popularity in Saudi Arabia over the past decade. The rise of fighters from across the Middle East and the establishment of a national MMA foundation have contributed to the sport’s growth. Saudi fighters Abdullah al-Qahtani and Mostafa Rashed Neda recently achieved high-profile victories in New York’s Madison Square Garden, organized by the US-based PFL.
The PFL plans to launch a regional league next year and host other major events in Saudi Arabia. Although the value of the deal was not disclosed, it was reported to be $100 million by the Financial Times.
Saudi Arabia’s sports investment push extends beyond MMA, with the kingdom making significant moves in golf, Formula One, and football. However, these endeavors have faced criticism for potentially diverting attention from Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
