Can a Saudi Arabian trillionaire assemble a mega combined martial arts (MMA) struggle?
The 2024 Skilled Fighters League (PFL) Championships went down yesterday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that includes six fighters capturing world titles. However, extra essential, the half-dozen winners all acquired “life-changing” paydays of $1 million for successful their respective championship fights.
Checkout all the highlights right here.
Earlier than the ESPN+ most important card, PFL CEO, Peter Murray, spoke with talkSPORT, revealing that Saudi Arabia needs to host a possible struggle (at this level, a dream struggle) between Final Combating Championship (UFC) Heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, and PFL Tremendous Combat champion, Francis Ngannou.
“We’re supportive of a [crossover fight],” Murray mentioned. “I imply, the fighters need the struggle, Jon Jones needs the struggle, Francis needs the struggle, we wish the struggle, our companions right here in Saudi need the struggle. It actually comes all the way down to if UFC needs to step up … interval.”
It’s an uphill climb (Sisyphus-type degree).
That’s proper, potential struggle between “Jones vs. Ngannou” has been mentioned and dissected a million occasions by now—and sure, you all know the reply by now: PFL actually needs to make the struggle, whereas Dana White and Co. have zero curiosity.
In truth, White has claimed he’ll “by no means work with Ngannou once more,” contemplating him a “unhealthy man.” Nevertheless, White hasn’t mentioned, “No” to Saudi Arabia’s huge affect. Can UFC’s head honcho actually shut the door to the struggle when a the oil-rich nation actually prints cash?
However, MMA media has requested White a number of occasions a couple of “Jones vs. Ngannou” matchup sponsored by Riyadh Season, and he often adjustments the topic or provides a, “you by no means know” reply.
The chilly, laborious fact is that UFC good points nothing from crossing over with PFL, and due to that, the mega struggle will greater than seemingly by no means occur.
BUT, cash talks …
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