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Dana White and Turki Alalshikh differ on combat piracy in combat sports
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Dana White and Turki Alalshikh differ on combat piracy in combat sports

LAS VEGAS – Dana White and business partner Turki Alalshikh appear to have a difference of opinion when it comes to combating illegal streaming of pay-per-view events.

Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, said lowering pay-per-view prices for boxing matches will increase the fan base and discourage people from pirating events.

Alalshikh said he plans to stage the undisputed light heavyweight title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol on October 12 for “£15 for the UK and $15 worldwide.” Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois is currently listed at £19.95 for British fans.

“What I dream is the pay-per-view with a good price,” Alalshikh told talkSPORT. “To make the fans happy and to make them subscribe and watch it legally. Usually when I see the pay-per-view (price) high, a lot of people watch the fight illegally, and that’s not healthy for boxing and the platform. What I will try to push (for) the Riyadh Season Card is to make our show less than £20 in England and less than $20 worldwide.”

When asked about Alalshikh’s suggestion, White didn’t directly address the issue. Instead, he bragged about the UFC’s ability to identify and prosecute illegal streamers.

“Trust me, we know exactly how to fight piracy,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the post-match press conference of Dana White’s Contender Series 70 on Tuesday. “I won’t tell you the ins and outs of what we do at every event, but we’re going after piracy hard. You saw a couple years ago we started prosecuting people. That’s how you fight piracy: Start prosecuting people for fucking theft. There you have it.”

White and the UFC made their debut in Saudi Arabia last June with a UFC Fight Night that aired on ABC and streamed on ESPN+ in the US.

Be sure to visit MMA Junkie’s Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with mixed martial arts fans.