- UFC held its first event in Saudi Arabia last weekend
- It had a big difference compared to previous tournaments.
The first UFC event in Saudi Arabia was a huge success and featured some entertaining fights, but it was also notable for removing a much-loved part of its famous promotion.
It was an exciting night of action at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, with Australian Robert Whittaker needing less than two minutes to defeat undefeated opponent Ikram Aliskerov in the main event.
However, some eagle-eyed fans noticed that there were no Octagon Girls, nor female wrestlers, at the historic event.
The break with tradition was prompted by respect for local Saudi customs and is a big step for the UFC, which has weathered protests in the past for its sometimes controversial use of card girls.
There were no Octagon Girls at the historic UFC event in Saudi Arabia last weekend, nor any female fighters.
Mixed martial arts, like boxing, often have bikini-clad women walking around the cage holding signs showing which round is next (pictured, UFC Octagon Girls).
In 2019, Melbourne Mayor Sally Capp said the “sexist and retrograde” card girl tradition was “outdated”.
UFC president Dana White slammed the “ridiculous calls” from Australian politicians, claiming the girls are an integral part of the show.
“Our Octagon girls are as much a part of the UFC brand as anyone, they are ambassadors of our sport,” the UFC boss responded.
She insisted that the UFC treats women better than any other sport.
“I would suggest to these people who are calling for it to be banned, take a look at what these girls are doing with the company, the kind of money they are making,” she said.
‘Do it and you’ll realize that these girls are just as important to our brand as anyone else in the company. And that’s exactly how we treat them.”
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov sparked controversy in 2021 when he labeled ring girls “the most useless people in martial arts,” sparking backlash from the likes of Conor McGregor and well-known Octagon girl Arianny Celeste.
He said, ‘What is your function? I think they are the most useless people in martial arts. What function? As? What are they doing? Tell me please.’
Some eagle-eyed fans noticed that the Octagon Girls were absent from the event and weigh-in at the first UFC tournament in Saudi Arabia last weekend (pictured)
Dana White (right) and Saudi General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Al-Sheikh (center) were pleased with the event.
In a post-fight news conference on Sunday, White said the Saudi event was a great success.
“Yeah, it was amazing,” White said.
‘Obviously, our first time in the kingdom and my first time here. It was a great experience. We’re looking forward to the next one.”
Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Al-Sheikh was also impressed with the tournament and said he is interested in showcasing female MMA fighters at the next event in the country.
