Report: UFC Saudi Arabia Postponed, Event Now Targeted for June

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s debut in Saudi Arabia will likely come a little bit later than originally anticipated.

UFC Fight Night 238, which was originally scheduled for Boulevard Hall in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 2, is expected to be postponed with a new targeted date of June. The news was initially reported by Ariel Helwani on ”The MMA Hour,” who revealed that the postponement occurred because there was a lack of satisfaction from the “powers that be” in Saudi Arabia with the quality of the card.

It’s currently unclear if the rescheduled event will remain a Fight Night or if it will become a pay-per-view card. As of Monday, UFC Fight Night 238 included fights such as Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Shamil Gaziev and Alex Perez vs. Muhammad Mokaev, but a headliner had not been announced. It’s not known if the bouts currently confirmed for the card will remain part of the new UFC Saudi Arabia event.

Saudi Arabia has become a significant player on the combat sports scene in recent months. The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund purchased a minority stake in Professional Fighters League last summer, and Francis Ngannou faced Tyson Fury in a boxing match in Riyadh this past October. Ngannou is also slated to face Anthony Joshua in the country on March 8. Meanwhile, TKO executive Mark Shapiro revealed that the UFC received a $20 million deal to hold in Saudi Arabia.

The UFC has not made an official announcement regarding the status of its Saudi Arabia event.