The clock is ticking, and the days are counting down the start of Riyadh Season 2024.
Announced by Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Turki Al-Alshikh, this year's edition of the Riyadh Season celebrations are slated to kick off on October 12. The 2024 season will kick off with the first boxing event on October 12 - similar to last year, it is expected that there will be number of internationally important combat events.
It was also recently announced that Francis Ngannou will return to the ring for Riyadh Season 2024, but this time returning to the octagon as opposed to the boxing ring.
Battle of the Giants: October 19
Re-igniting the MMA bug across the nation, Ngannou will go head-to-head with Brazilian Renan Ferriera. The highly anticipated fight will take place on October 19, just one week after the launch of Riyadh Season 2024 and it will see the former UFC heavyweight champion (Ngannou) take on his opponent, Ferreira in the octagon.
The Battle of the Giants: Brace For Impact event is part of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), the organisation Ngannou joined over the UFC. The outcome of the match will be eagerly awaited by fans worldwide, particularly as Ngannou has won 17 of his 20 fights so far, and Ferreira is equally successful, having won 13 out of the 19 fights he has had.
Set to take place in a new event space at the Mayadeen Theatre in Riyadh, the MMA fight will be fierce and see the two heavyweight contenders battle it out, showing their exceptional skills, strength and athleticism. Ngannou's return to the octagon following his departure from the UFC is expected to generate significant buzz and excitement amongst fans.
October 19: The Battle of the Giants: Brace For Impact
Mayadeen Theatre, Riyadh
Tickets from SAR300, Buy your tickets here
IV Crown Showdown: October 12
Originally scheduled to take place on June 1, the IV Crown Showdown will now become the opening event of Riyadh Season 2024 on October 12.
Referring to the four champion belts on the line for Beterbiev and Bivol, the IV Crown Showdown will see the two world champions battle it out for the chance to be crowned the ultimate champion in the world's light-heavyweight division.
Seven undercard events have also been listed under this title card, and one such fight will feature Riyadh Season's very first all-female showdown. Australian professional featherweight boxer Skye Nicolson will take on British boxer Raven Chapman in the clash. Currently both athletes are undefeated, making this boxing match an even more intense and interesting event.
October 12: IV Crown Showdown
Exact location TBC, Riyadh
Riyadh Season 2024 begins from October 12
October 12: IV Crown Showdown - (Ultimate Champion Light Heavyweight): Dmitry Bivol v. Artur Beterbiev
October 19: Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact - (Heavyweight World Title Fight): Francis Ngannou v. Renan Ferriera
