Coronavirus has knocked out the UFC. After pledging to keep matches going even as the pandemic forced other professional sports leagues to go on hiatus, UFC president Dana White on Monday postponed the company’s next three events indefinitely, according to ESPN. They were scheduled for March 21, 28 and April 11. The decision came on …
Coronavirus has knocked out the UFC.
After pledging to keep matches going even as the pandemic forced other professional sports leagues to go on hiatus, UFC president Dana White on Monday postponed the company’s next three events indefinitely, according to ESPN. They were scheduled for March 21, 28 and April 11.
The decision came on the same day president Donald Trump recommended avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people.
“We can’t do it…we have no choice now but to postpone these fights,” White said Monday on ESPN, adding that Trump’s recommendation was the deciding factor in postponing the fights.
It was an about-face from White, who on Sunday told ESPN, “We’re not stopping,” amid criticism for not following the lead of the NBA, MLB, NHL and other leagues that suspended events due to the coronavirus.
NASCAR, PGA, Bellator MMA and various boxing promoters also have suspended events due to COVID-19.
UFC fights this past weekend in Brazil were held without fans, as only essential employees were in attendance.
The promotion’s most highly anticipated fight, the UFC 249 card between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson, is still scheduled to take place April 18 at Barclays Center, White said on ESPN.
“This fight’s going to happen,” White said repeatedly on ESPN.
But the bout may be in jeopardy, according MMA Fighting, after New York declared a State of Emergency because of the virus. Barclays Center, along with many arenas across the country, closed its doors due to the the virus and may not host events for months.
As of Monday, WWE continued to hold its televised events such as “Monday Night Raw” and “Friday Night SmackDown,” with only essential personnel in attendance at the company’s Performance Center on Orlando, Fla.
WrestleMania 36 remains scheduled for April 5 at Raymond James Stadium on Tampa, Fla.
