Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has acquired a minority stake in the PFL, an American mixed martial arts league, demonstrating the scope of the rich oil country’s sporting ambitions. Read more about this investment and the plans for the future.
| Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has acquired a minority stake in the PFL, an American mixed martial arts league.
| The investment aims to attract major sporting events and support the economic diversification strategy of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
| MMA has gained popularity in Saudi Arabia with the emergence of Middle Eastern fighters and the establishment of the Saudi MMA Foundation.
| The PFL plans to launch a regional league next year and organize other mega-events in Saudi Arabia.
| The investment amount is reported to be around $100 million.
| Saudi Arabia has been making significant investments in various sports, including golf, Formula 1, and soccer.
| The country has faced criticism for using sport to improve its image despite human rights concerns.
Saudi Arabia’s Sporting Ambitions
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has acquired a minority stake in the PFL, an American mixed martial arts league, demonstrating the scope of the rich oil country’s sporting ambitions. The investment, led by SRJ Sports Investments, aims to attract major sporting events and support the economic diversification strategy of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
MMA in Saudi Arabia
MMA, which blends several combat sports such as boxing, wrestling, or Muay Thai, was relatively unknown in the kingdom until the organization of the Desert Force regional competition in 2014. However, with the emergence of Middle Eastern fighters and the establishment of the Saudi MMA Foundation, the sport has gained popularity.
Regional League and Mega-Events
The PFL plans to launch a regional league next year and organize other mega-events in Saudi Arabia. This strategic move aims to nurture local and regional martial arts talent, promote gender equality in sport, and create new opportunities for Saudi Arabia and the region.
Investment Details
The exact amount of the investment has not been disclosed, but it is reported to be around $100 million according to the Financial Times. This investment follows Saudi Arabia’s recent forays into golf, Formula 1, and soccer, where the country has attracted global stars to its local league. However, these investments have also faced criticism from activists who accuse Saudi Arabia of using sport to improve its image despite human rights concerns in the kingdom.
Fight Results
| Fighter | Result |
|---|---|
| Abdallah al-Qahtani | Won |
| Mostafa Rashed Neda | Won |
