Saudi fights have such spectacle but such a lacklustre crowd.

[markantony20]

Since the beginning of Riyadh Season there has been some great fights, mostly boxing events but both PFL and now the UFC have held cards in the kingdom.

The Saudi’s have more money than they know what to do with and can splurge out on events like no other.

But the crowds man…they’re so dead.

Its not just that they’re quite though the Japanese crowds are famous for being so quite that fighters can hear their own corners. But when shit gets going the Japanese crowd goes fucking mental and that leads to some of the best atmosphere in any country, you can feel how hyped they are even through the TV.

In Saudi it’s a different story. Granted they did show up during Fury v Usyk but that seems to be the exception.

I just feel it’s such a shame that so many hype moments are happening over there but the energy of the crown really dampens it.

TLDR: PRIDE NEVER DIE!

 

[Zanmato]

Islamic modesty plus indentured slavery (minus alcohol) doesn't sound like a recipe for a good atmosphere. They should ship in Scottish and Irish fans and put on a 3 hour free bar before their bigger events

 

[CPH]

jaded playboys

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

Since the beginning of Riyadh Season there has been some great fights, mostly boxing events but both PFL and now the UFC have held cards in the kingdom.

The Saudi’s have more money than they know what to do with and can splurge out on events like no other.

But the crowds man…they’re so dead.

Its not just that they’re quite though the Japanese crowds are famous for being so quite that fighters can hear their own corners. But when shit gets going the Japanese crowd goes fucking mental and that leads to some of the best atmosphere in any country, you can feel how hyped they are even through the TV.

In Saudi it’s a different story. Granted they did show up during Fury v Usyk but that seems to be the exception.

I just feel it’s such a shame that so many hype moments are happening over there but the energy of the crown really dampens it.

TLDR: PRIDE NEVER DIE!

PRIDE NEVAH DIE

 

[Doctor Grudge]

Sports culture doesn't have a long history in Saudi, and the audience is rather new to MMA I think.

Not to mention it is still Asia, they are more reserved.

None of the fighters are local either.

 

[World eater]

People not drinking is a huge factor.

 

[Conan the K-9]

They found out that mma exists after khabibs success and are not interested in fights where their own favorites are not included and don’t really understand what’s happening in the octagon. Just like many of the Sherdogs own bathtubbers.

 

[HolmeZy55]

Someone earlier said it best, these guys are used to shitting on girls faces and watching them eat it, fight spectacles aren't nearly as interesting hence the lackluster crowd.

 

[modulus]

Crowd doesn't have to say jack, because...........

Money Talks

 

[Emjay]

No bitches

 

[tornado362]

Everything is bigger and better out there, if it isn't perfect, they don't want it.

I've lived in the UAE and when the local mall has a bigger aquarium than most UK/US aquariums, you just get desensitised.

How can something like a pet dog be interesting, when you've got a pet tiger etc.

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

Yup those events are always flat, lack of energy and buzz. Not a place JBG would like to make an appearance

 

[Goatenstein]

Islamic modesty plus indentured slavery (minus alcohol) doesn't sound like a recipe for a good atmosphere. They should ship in Scottish and Irish fans and put on a 3 hour free bar before their bigger events

Modesty or fear of being dismembered like Jamal Khashoggi?

 

[BabyBlue_Bomber]

They go wild during WWE Events…

Especially when wrestlers from the 90’s are in there…

 

[Zanmato]

Modesty or fear of being dismembered like Jamal Khashoggi?

I'll bet the leadership of your country does it more often than theirs does. Fear is a reasonable answer to certain topics in the middle east but let's be honest no one is getting beheaded in UAE because they made some noise at a cage fight

 

[Cobra 03]

I found it very annoying how the Saudi crowd booed non Muslim fighters and went crazy for Muslim fighters. I have never rooted for a fighter based on religion, but found myself rooting against every Muslim fighter as the night went on. It was really nice to hear them shut up, when first, Lima and then Whitaker both finished their fights decisively! In case Saudi Arabia forgot, it's Christian countries that saves their asses from invasion from the surrounding Muslim countries, and allows them to live a comfortable lifestyle. Have any of you UFC fans ever rooted for a fighter because of his religion? Sometimes, it's a really F'd up world we live in!

 

[sanguinius]

PRIDE NEVAH DIE

I looked it up and PRIDE actually died almost a decade ago. I didn’t even know that it was sick.

 

[sonhow]

Why are we trying to make Saudi crowds or events something they are not? They are not good shows. They will never have good atmosphere. Good fights will happen but because they pay so much that it makes sense to do the events there. Is it good for the sport or any sport in general? Fuck no. Do they pay shit loads of money? Fuck yes.
The ones looking for these cards to have some sort of sport mystique or such are going to wait for a long time.

 

[usernamee]

People not drinking is a huge factor.

It's the only factor.

People can come up with other explanations as they have in the thread but get these guys boozed up and they will get rowdy and all of those other explanations wont matter for shit.

 

[13Seconds]

It's a culture thing. They get crazy when crazy moments happens in fights but other than that, yeah.

Islamic modesty. I can respect it but it doesn't translate well into sports/entertainment.