TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE and UFC, is reportedly moving closer to launching a new boxing league in partnership with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). This development would seem to be significant and logical expansion for the company, which was formed in September 2023 through the merged ownership of WWE and UFC. Since the merger, the group has promoted crossover appearances between stars from both platforms, and now it seems poised to make its entry into the boxing world.
According to the New York Times, the proposed league would focus on up-and-coming boxing talent, although details such as the league's name and launch timeline remain undisclosed. TKO Group has stated there is nothing official to announce at this time, and PIF has declined to comment on the matter.
The idea of venturing into boxing aligns with the long-standing interests of UFC CEO Dana White, a TKO Group board member, who has been a vocal advocate for the sport. White previously explored the concept of "Zuffa Boxing" following the 2017 mega-fight between UFC star Conor McGregor and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, though those plans never materialized.
Mark Shapiro, TKO’s Chief Operating Officer, has also expressed enthusiasm for developing a boxing platform. Speaking at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference in December, Shapiro said:
“Look, boxing is something we would do organically. So nothing to buy, just something we’d start up and likely take a partner from the Middle East that would serve as an investment partner for us. So that’s something we’re exploring right now.”
The potential partnership with Saudi Arabia's PIF would align with the Kingdom's growing involvement in major sports events. Notably, Dana White was recently seen with Turki Alalshikh, a key figure in promoting boxing events in Riyadh. Alalshikh has played a pivotal role in organizing high-profile fights, including bouts featuring Francis Ngannou, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Oleksandr Usyk.
If the plans materialize, this new league could position TKO Group as a significant player in the boxing industry, further diversifying its portfolio and capitalizing on the global appetite for combat sports.