- The UFC held its first occasion in Saudi Arabia final weekend
- There was a giant distinction from earlier tournaments
The UFC's first occasion in Saudi Arabia was an enormous success and featured some entertaining fights – but it surely was additionally notable for leaving out a much-loved a part of its well-known promotion.
It was an exciting night at Riyadh's Kingdom Area, with Australian Robert Whittaker taking lower than two minutes to defeat undefeated opponent Ikram Aliskerov in the principle contest.
Nonetheless, some keen-eyed followers observed there have been no Octagon Women — and no feminine fighters — on the historic occasion.
The choice to interrupt with custom was made out of respect for native Saudi customs and is a giant step for the UFC, which has confronted protests previously over its controversial use of card women.
There have been no Octagon Women on the UFC’s historic occasion in Saudi Arabia final week — and no feminine fighters both.
Blended martial arts, corresponding to boxing, typically function bikini-clad girls strolling across the cage holding indicators indicating which spherical is subsequent (pictured, UFC Octagon Women)
In 2019, Melbourne's Lord Mayor Sally Capp stated the “sexist and backward” custom of card women was “outdated”.
UFC president Dana White has slammed the 'ridiculous name' from Australian politicians, claiming the ladies are an integral a part of the present.
The UFC chief responded, 'Our Octagon women, they’re as a lot part of the UFC model as anybody else, they’re ambassadors of our sport.'
She insisted that the UFC treats girls higher than some other sport.
He stated, 'I’d recommend that those that are demanding a ban on these women ought to go and see what these women do with the corporate, how a lot cash they’re making.'
'Do this and also you'll understand these women are simply as necessary to our model as anyone else within the firm. And that's precisely how we deal with them.'
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov sparked controversy in 2021 when he labelled ring women the 'worst folks in martial arts', drawing heavy criticism from the likes of Conor McGregor and famed Octagon woman Arianny Celeste.
He stated: 'What’s their job? I feel they’re the worst folks in martial arts. What job? How? What are they doing? Please inform me.'
Some keen-eyed followers observed the Octagon women have been absent from the occasion and weigh-ins on the UFC's first event in Saudi Arabia final weekend (PICTURED)
Dana White (proper) and Turki al-Sheikh (middle), chairman of the Saudi Arabian Basic Leisure Authority, have been happy with the occasion
In his post-fight press convention on Sunday, White stated the Saudi Arabia bout was an enormous success.
“Yeah, it was wonderful,” White stated.
'Clearly, this was our first expertise within the state and my first time coming right here. It was a fantastic expertise. We’re eagerly ready for the following expertise.'
Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Basic Leisure Authority, was additionally impressed by the event and stated he’s involved in showcasing feminine MMA fighters on the subsequent occasion within the nation.
