Growing security concerns in the Middle East have cast doubt over several major combat sports events scheduled in the region. Recent missile and drone attacks targeting critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, have raised questions about whether upcoming sporting events can proceed as planned.
According to DW News, Ansar Allah, the Yemeni movement commonly known as the Houthis, has repeatedly targeted Riyadh airport. The report cited an October 10 attack that killed 12 people and injured around 300, adding to concerns about security in the region.
The uncertainty has also put the UFC’s rumored December 5 Fight Night in the spotlight. The card is expected to feature Israel Adesanya against Shara Magomedov, but speculation has emerged that the event could be canceled or moved elsewhere. Dana White, however, has offered a different outlook, suggesting the UFC is still moving ahead with its plans for the Middle East.
Dana White Says UFC Has No Plans to Alter Its Upcoming Fight Schedule
The December 5 card is not the only UFC event attracting attention amid the regional tensions. UFC 333 is scheduled for October 24 in Abu Dhabi, where Alexander Volkanovski is set to defend his featherweight title against Movsar Evloev.
Boxing has also been caught up in the uncertainty. Canelo Alvarez’s planned October 31, 2026, fight against Christian Mbilli in Riyadh could face complications, with prominent boxing figures, including WBC champion Sebastian Fundora, voicing concerns about security following the airport attacks.
Meanwhile, tennis has already seen a major change to its schedule. The Six Kings Slam, originally planned for late October, has reportedly been postponed until December. Despite the uncertainty surrounding other sporting events, White has indicated that the UFC has no immediate plans to change its Middle East schedule.
Speaking at the UFC Edmonton post-fight press conference, the UFC CEO outlined his busy travel schedule and upcoming events in the region. He said, “I go to Abu Dhabi on Tuesday; I have like six events in the next 30 days in Saudi, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.”
Dana White: “I have like six events in the next 30 days in Saudi, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.” https://t.co/bt1JQ93xRh
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) October 18, 2026
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White’s comments came after Russian outlet Vestnik MMA reported that the December 5 event in Riyadh could be canceled altogether. According to the report, the rumored middleweight clash between Israel Adesanya and Shara Magomedov could instead be moved to UFC Qatar on November 21.
The uncertainty surrounding the event comes amid heightened regional tensions and travel warnings. As reported by NY Fights on September 29 and then reiterated on October 8, the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory for Saudi Arabia, citing risks associated with escalating conflict, potential flight cancellations, and airspace closures.
Similar travel advisories cover several other countries in the region, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Israel, as well as the West Bank.
The situation has also sparked debate about how UFC leadership handles staff safety when events are scheduled in areas facing security concerns. Ant Evans recently shared an account on X about the approach taken before UFC 120 in London back in October 2010.
According to Evans, Zuffa’s head of security sent a company-wide email warning that London was extremely dangerous and advising staff to remain in their hotel at night. He also claimed that Las Vegas had recorded more violent crime that year than the entire United Kingdom.
Ahead of UFC 120 in London, Zuffa’s head of security sent a company wide email. It warned that the British capital was extremely dangerous, and staff were told to remain in the hotel at night.
In fact, there had been more violent crime in Las Vegas that year than in all the UK combined.
Still, however misguided, I appreciated the company cared about its peoples’ safety.
Now, TKO UFC is forcing staff to go to an active war zone.
— Ant Evans (@AntEvansMMA) October 18, 2026
Although the warning may have seemed excessive to some, Evans argued that it showed the company was taking employee safety seriously. He contrasted that approach with the current situation, raising concerns about TKO and the UFC sending staff into a region experiencing serious security tensions.
Ultimately, White’s comments suggest that the promotion intends to stick to its current schedule for now.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
