Saudi Arabias new sports-focused investment company has made MMA its first major project by taking an equity stake in UFCs top competitor.
Officially launched earlier this month, SRJ Sports Investments has acquired a minority ownership stake in the Professional Fighters League and will become an investor in new regional league PFL MENA.
The value of SRJs investment is $100 million, according to the Financial Times, although the size of the stake in the PFL is unclear. Last year, the PFL was valued at $500 million.
As part of the deal, Saudi Arabia will host major PFL pay-per-view events. The stated mission is to accelerate the growth of the sector in Saudi Arabia and MENA.
It remains unclear if other Saudi-backed sports properties like LIV Golf, Newcastle United, and Formula 1 entities will remain under the banner of the Public Investment Fund, or if any or all of those investments will eventually be transferred to SRJ Sports Investments.
