Dana White alerted about major ‘breathing problem’ from UFC Saudi Arabia fighters
UFC CEO Dana White gets complaints from fighters who struggled with breathing at the anb Arena last weekend in Saudi Arabia.

Dana White's UFC Saudi Arabia had some troubles with the fighters (via Imago/X)
UFC Saudi Arabia was a massive success for Dana White and his team. It had some incredible fights that caught the attention of millions of fans who turned in to watch it. However, the same cannot be said about the fighters, who had to go through a serious problem behind the scenes.
UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia took place at the anb Arena in Riyadh. Inside the arena, the locker rooms of fighters had gone through a recent paint job, which resulted in a toxic smell. It affected many fighters while they geared up before going inside the octagon to fight. UFC lightweight Mike Davis faced a similar problem and recently made a public post about it.
I’m telling you. I was not myself out there. I was out of breathe shadow boxing for the camera. Felt like I was breathing through a tube the whole fight.
Mike Davis via X
Davis fought Fares Ziam and lost the fight via unanimous decision, and many noticed how exhausted he was during the last rounds. Other than Davis, Terrance McKinney also shed light on the matter in a recent interview with Ariel Helwani. According to the fighter, inhaling the paint smell was too much to handle.
I'm telling you. I was not myself out there.
— Mike “Beast Boy” Davis (@MikeDavisMMA) February 3, 2025
I was out of breathe shadow boxing for the camera.
Felt like I was breathing through a tube the whole fight. https://t.co/gl2tkNePhJ
McKinney also talked about how Lucas Alexander had to be taken to the hospital twice due to a breathing problem. While ‘T Wrecks’ won his fight via TKO, others weren’t that lucky. While Dana White likes going to Saudi Arabia, it was definitely a problem that he would like to avoid in the future.
Dana White’s new friendship with Saudi Arabia
Dana White’s relationship with Saudi Arabia developed with the intervention of Turki Alalshikh. They share a growing relationship focused on expanding combat sports, particularly UFC and boxing, in Saudi Arabia. Over the last few years, Alalshikh has often visited major UFC events and vice versa.

At UFC Saudi Arabia, Alalshikh came along with football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, and their pictures have since gone viral. White and Alalshikh’s discussions have hinted at potential collaborations regarding a joint boxing league or other ventures. This has also changed the UFC CEO’s perspective on the boxing promotion.
What these guys are doing in Saudi Arabia is they are investing in the sport. Nothing works without an investment…. Boxing has done the exact opposite….Saudi Arabia and Sheikh Turki(Alalshikh) is looking to invest in boxing.
Dana White via VegasPBS
Dana White is asked about the rumors that he may want to start a boxing league with Turki Alalshikh.pic.twitter.com/8E5mbGYh4c
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) September 10, 2024
White respects Alalshikh’s commitment to reinvesting in boxing, contrasting with others who, according to him, only take money from the sport. Some recent developments have suggested that things might be going positively. It would be interesting to see whether White will be able to fulfill his dream of venturing into the boxing business.
Ameetosh Dash
(981 Articles Published)