��������

ABU DHABI: UFC 321 has added three more international matchups to its already stacked lineup ahead of the Oct. 25 event at Etihad Arena.

The card is headlined by Tom Aspinall’s first UFC heavyweight title defense against French contender Ciryl Gane and will now feature added depth across the featherweight and lightweight divisions.

British featherweight Nathaniel Wood is set to face Mexico’s Jose Miguel Delgado in what promises to be a dynamic clash of styles.

Wood, who made a successful move up from bantamweight, has built a reputation as a well-rounded and dangerous fighter. He enters Abu Dhabi aiming to break into the featherweight top 15.

Delgado arrives with just one professional loss and a size advantage. Known for his aggression and finishing instinct, the rising Mexican talent faces the toughest test of his career in Wood.

In the lightweight division, Poland’s Mateusz Rebecki will meet Slovakia’s Ľudovit “Mr Highlight” Klein in a bout tipped to be a potential Fight of the Night.

Rebecki, a graduate of Dana White’s Contender Series, is known for his relentless pressure and slick submissions. His UFC tenure has featured both setbacks and gritty, crowd-pleasing victories.

Klein, a sharp southpaw striker, is aiming to bounce back after a loss to Mateusz Gamrot ended his seven-fight unbeaten streak.

This matchup pits Rebecki’s ground game against Klein’s striking and could have major implications for the lightweight rankings.

Palestinian featherweight Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady also returns to action in Abu Dhabi, where he will take on Brazil’s Matheus Camilo.

Al-Selwady, a former champion in both Desert Force and Brave CF, is seeking his first UFC win following a loss to Loik Radzhabov in 2024.

The bout marks Camilo’s second UFC appearance after a debut loss earlier this year. With both fighters searching for a breakthrough, this contest carries added emotional and career weight.

UFC 321 will also feature a co-main event between Brazil’s Virna Jandiroba and American grappler Mackenzie Dern for the vacant women’s strawweight title.

RIYADH: From global finance to Saudi stadiums, American investor Ben Harburg has taken an unusual path into the Kingdom’s sporting landscape. Known for managing billions of dollars through international investment funds, he recently made headlines by fully acquiring Al-Kholood Club, a team newly promoted to the Saudi Pro League.

The move reflects the growing appeal of Saudi football to international investors and aligns with Vision 2030’s ambition to connect sport with economic development and global visibility.

Harburg’s career is rooted in high finance. As a founding partner of MSA Capital, he has overseen assets exceeding $2 billion, investing in global giants such as Uber, Airbnb, and Palantir. Yet his decision to step into Saudi football reveals a different kind of calculation.

“I believe the Saudi Pro League is operating in a high-growth market, while competition in Europe is either weakening or flatlining,” he said. To him, this is not a short-term gamble but a long-term commitment to a sector on the rise.

What sets Harburg apart from the stereotype of foreign investors is his philosophy. Rather than chasing quick returns through marquee signings, he speaks of building a foundation of young Saudi players and world-class facilities.

“We’ve got to produce young Saudi players that can be sold to clubs like Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq,” he explained. “And we’ve got to attract players who don’t come to us simply because we pay the highest salaries, but because they find a high level of professionalism, training equipment, and infrastructure.” His approach resonates with the Kingdom’s broader push to make clubs more sustainable, competitive, and rooted in local talent.

Harburg also distinguishes himself with his presence among fans.

“Because of the way you’re treating your supporters and engaging with them, I’ve become one of your fans,” he said.

It is an attitude that extends beyond financial ownership, reflecting a desire to shape a deeper connection between the club and its community. In doing so, he adds cultural and social value to an investment that is often judged solely by numbers.

The arrival of an investor like Ben Harburg in the Saudi Pro League symbolizes more than the globalization of the game; it marks a shift in the way foreign capital interacts with local sport.

From Wall Street to ��������, he embodies a new model of investment — one that sees people, infrastructure, and supporters as the true pillars of the future of football in the Kingdom.