Las Vegas, renowned for its glittering neon lights and long-standing status as the fight capital, is facing an impending challenge to its dominance from the Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With substantial resources and grand ambitions, these Gulf states are poised to unseat Las Vegas from its coveted position as the global hub of boxing and MMA.
In recent times, the UFC staged its latest premium live event in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where the lightweight champion Islam Makhachev defended his title. This marked the 19th event held in the region since 2010, underlining the mutually beneficial partnership between the Las Vegas-based organization and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism.
Abu Dhabi, not limiting its ambitions to the UFC, has been progressively establishing itself as a global center for submission grappling, with Brazilian jiu-jitsu being classified as its national sport and integrated into various facets of society, including school curriculums and the military. The ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship is among the prestigious jiu-jitsu tournaments held in the city.
A driving force behind the UAE’s combat sports strategy is Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed al Nahyan, who has played a pivotal role in popularizing these sports and holds a position of influence, similar to his brother Sheikh Mansour, owner of the English Premier League team, Manchester City.
Saudi Arabia, a regional rival to the UAE, has not been left behind in this pursuit. It has hosted significant boxing events, including the heavyweight championship fight between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk. Furthermore, the kingdom is set to host the heavyweight title unification showdown between Tyson Fury and Usyk in 2024.
Saudi Arabia has also entered the realm of MMA by acquiring a minority stake in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and establishing a regional tournament headquartered in the kingdom. Additionally, it plans to host its first-ever UFC event in 2024, coinciding with Riyadh Season, and is currently hosting the 2023 World Combat Games.
Las Vegas, on the other hand, is repositioning itself as a global sports hub, with recent developments such as the arrival of the NFL franchise, the Raiders, and the construction of Allegiant Stadium, which will host the Super Bowl. The city’s NHL team, the Golden Knights, and WNBA team, the Las Vegas Aces, have also achieved championship victories.
Las Vegas is leveraging its reputation as a global tourist destination and the growing acceptance of sports betting in the United States to attract sports teams and events. This strategic shift signifies the city’s evolving priorities, moving beyond niche, violence-oriented sports to embrace a broader spectrum of global sports and entertainment.
As Las Vegas adapts to these changes, the Gulf states, with their enthusiasm for combat sports and substantial investments, are emerging as strong contenders to become the new epicenter of fight sports, potentially supplanting Las Vegas from its long-held title as the world’s fight capital.
