Tag: UFC Saudi Arabia

Israel Adesanya flirts with UFC return despite plans for hiatus until 2027: ‘Saudi Arabia in March? Tempting’

Israel Adesanya flirts with UFC Saudi Arabia return in March it's temptingFormer two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya confirmed plans for a lengthy hiatus from active competition until potentially 2027…

Israel Adesanya flirts with UFC Saudi Arabia return in March it's tempting

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya confirmed plans for a lengthy hiatus from active competition until potentially 2027 at the earliest following his September title loss, however, earlier today, appeared to have his interested piqued by a planned UFC debut in Saudi Arabia in March of next year – alluding to a potential comeback.

Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight titleholder under the banner of the organization, most recently headlined UFC 293 back in September in Sydney, Australia – suffering a spectacular unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland in a championship title fight loss – dropping his crown for the second time in the space of a year.

And in the immediate aftermath of the loss, City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya confirmed plans for a lengthy stay away from the Octagon – potentially for a period of four years, despite links to a championship rematch with Strickland as soon as next year.

“I was getting so many messages,” Israel Adesanya said during a recent trip to Saudi Arabia to take in Tyson Fury’s boxing match with Francis Ngannou. “I woke up and was getting tagged in so many things. I’m not dead – I’m not retiring. I mean, calm the f*ck down. I’m alive. 2027. Look for the return, I’ll see you then.” 

And last month, reports confirmed how the UFC is set to touch down in a new Middle Eastern territory for the first time – with a planned March debut in the above-mentioned, Saudi Arabia for a ‘Fight Night’ billed card earmarked already. 

Israel Adesanya weighs up return to the UFC in March of next year

Appearing to already backtrack on a hiatus away from the sport of mixed martial arts, Adesanya claimed he was “tempted” by a potential feature at Saudi Arabia next year. 

“I appreciate the love from greats who recognize the realness!” Israel Adesanya posted on his official X account. “ Saudi Arabia in March… tempting hahaha.” 

Would you like to see Israel Adesanya feature at a UFC Saudi Arabia event next year?

Conor McGregor open to UFC Saudi Arabia return in March: ‘I just want my date please, gimme it’

Conor McGregor open to March return at UFC Saudi Arabia I just want my date please that's itConor McGregor is open to making his return to the Octagon in the Kindom of Saudi Arabia in 2024….

Conor McGregor open to March return at UFC Saudi Arabia I just want my date please that's it

Conor McGregor is open to making his return to the Octagon in the Kindom of Saudi Arabia in 2024.

On March 2, the UFC will head to the Middle Eastern country for the very first time for a Fight Night event to be held in conjunction with the Riyadh Season festival in partnership with the Saudi General Entertainment Authority. Currently, Conor McGregor is in the Saudi Arabian capital to witness the highly anticipated professional boxing debut of Francis Ngannou. The former UFC heavyweight champion will strap on the eight-ounce gloves for a showdown with undefeated British superstar Tyson Fury.

It’s a star-studded event in Riyadh with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment making their way to Kingdom Arena to take in the action, including Irish megastar Conor McGregor. MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn caught up with the former two-division titleholder to discuss his long-awaited return to the Octagon and whether or not we could see him make his comeback at UFC Saudi Arabia next year.

“This is what they’re saying. It’s a Fight Night, but they can do what they want to so I’m open,” McGregor said. “March is earlier than April. I’ve been kept from my living for almost three years now. I came through when I came through. I’m sitting on an injury and a loss. You hear what Alexander Volkanovski said. I relate. I must return to my way of living. This is my job so it’s beyond frustrating.”

Conor McGregor Just Wants His Date

It was recently reported that Conor McGregor had submitted his first sample to the United States Anti-Doping Agency since jumping back into the testing pool earlier this month. With USADA’s six-month pre-fight testing policy, the Irishman’s return is expected to go down in April, a month after the UFC heads to the Middle East.

But with the recent revelation that USADA and the UFC will no longer work together, ending their eight-year partnership come January 1, 2024, it’s possible we could see McGregor back inside the Octagon before then.

“I just want the date,” McGregor added. “My date, please. That’s it.”