UFC President Dana White will not allow the organization’s event schedule to be derailed because of a global coronavirus pandemic.
White is channeling his inner Diddy and his UFC events just ‘cant stop, won’t stop!’
Last week, the entire sports spectrum followed the led of major events like SXSW and canceled their events. Even Bellator canceled its Friday event at the Mohegan Sun. However, the UFC announced multiple adjustments to its upcoming fight schedule. They still held an event on Saturday in Brasilia to an empty arena. This was due to a government order to shut down major public gatherings.
Next week’s UFC event in London featuring Tyron Woodley vs. Leon Edwards will go on with fans. However, upcoming fight cards for Columbus and Portland were shifted to the UFC Apex venue in Las Vegas.
The UFC’s Fate Is Not In White’s Hands
On Saturday, it was announced that sporting events in England would be held to a limited capacity. Also, there are now increased U.K. travel restrictions per White’s friend, President Donald Trump.
“Unless there’s a total shutdown of the country where people can’t leave their houses and things like that, these fights will happen,” White said on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
“We’re gonna move on. These guys will compete. We will find venues, and we will figure this thing out. I mean, the only thing that’s gonna stop us is a complete government shutdown where everyone is confined to their homes.”
The Nevada Athletic Commission held an emergency meeting on Saturday. They voted to revoke all combat sports licenses until March 25 amid growing concerns about the novel coronavirus.
The NAC also voted to revisit the issue during its March 25 meeting to reach “an appropriate response to the COVID-19 virus that observes the Commission’s [sic] primary mandate to protect the health and safety of the public.”
The development could impact UFC’s immediate future plans
