Dana White is determined to make MMA the first sport back. This is because he wants to set an example for the sporting world to follow. The UFC President maintains that he was good to go with UFC 249 this week. However, the event, as well as other events, were postponed after higher-ups at ESPN asked him to stand down. Now, he announced that the UFC is targeting a May 9th return.
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The exact venue and the safety measures are unknown. However, White has said there will be regular testing and constantly reiterates that health and safety has been the company’s priority long before the Coronavirus.
Dana White set to communicate with fighters
A tweet by ESPN MMA’s Ariel Helwani says that Dana White will host a couple of web sessions with fighters on the roster. The sessions on Friday and Monday will serve to communicate, “about upcoming events for the remainder of the year. He also says they will help answer questions about training, safety, fights, and health.”
UFC President Dana White will be hosting 2 web sessions for fighters on the roster tomorrow and Monday to communicate “about upcoming events for the remainder of the year as well as help answer any questions about training, fights, health, safety and more,” per multiple sources.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 17, 2020
However, the web sessions will be only for the fighters and even their managers will not be permitted. The UFC will even provide translators as they aim to keep any 3rd party members away. This is possibly due to White not wanting his well-laid plans to get derailed yet again. He has attributed all the delays to misinformation and seems keen to avoid that this time around.
This is for fighters only. No managers or third party members invited. They are also providing translators on the calls and will address any concerns or logistical questions for the upcoming events.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 17, 2020
Helwani credits the report to multiple sources. It seems that the UFC is serious about guarding direct communication. They also want to reassure every fighter that they will hold the events with first priority to safety.
The fighters may get a confirmed location of the event here too. One of the possible locations is the UFC Apex. The only issue here is that the dimensions of the Octagon are smaller than what most of the fighters are used to. The promotion could go to Florida as well, where sports have been deemed as essential businesses. The last option is the “Fight Island” which Dana White says will be ready in a month. This is his location to host International Fights.
Do you think the May 9th event will go ahead? If yes, where do you see it taking place?
