StarzPlay signs deal to livestream UFC across the Mideast

Conor McGregor arrives at Toshiba Plaza in Las Vegas, ahead of his fight with Floyd Mayweather, Aug. 22, 2017. (Reuters
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Updated 14 January 2021
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StarzPlay signs deal to livestream UFC across the Mideast

  • Broadcasting agreement comes ahead of return of UFC Fight Island to Abu Dhabi and eagerly anticipated clash between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier on Jan. 24.
  • StarzPlay subscribers will be able to access all UFC fights live, as well as a library of previous fights, shows, interviews, and special content

DUBAI: Dubai-based StarzPlay has signed a deal with Abu Dhabi Media to livestream UFC content and events across the Middle East.

The broadcasting agreement comes ahead of the return of UFC Fight Island to Abu Dhabi from Jan. 16 and the eagerly anticipated clash between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier on Jan. 24.

StarzPlay subscribers will be able to access all UFC fights live, as well as a library of previous fights, shows, interviews, and special content, such as Dana White’s Contender Series.

Yaqoub Al Saadi, head of Abu Dhabi Sports Channels at Abu Dhabi Media, said the agreement with the streaming service was part of its “commitment to bringing major sports to viewers in the region.”

The first fight streamed live on StarzPlay will be Max Holloway versus Calvin Kattar on Jan. 16, followed by Michael Chiesa versus Neil Magny on Jan. 20.

The big fight — McGregor versus Poirier on Jan. 24 — is unlikely to be the Irishman’s only big showcase in the region this year and there is talk of him going up against Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao, with a venue in the Middle East still a possibility.

“Both fighters want that fight,” McGregor’s agent, Audie Attar, founder and CEO of Paradigm Sports Management, told Arab News.

“McGregor is committed to fighting Manny. There is interest from the fans and we’re having active discussions. We’re keen on making that event happen in 2021.”


Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.