Dana White has finally caved into the Coronavirus epidemic. UFC president Dana White has announced that the promotion has cancelled it’s next three events till April 17.
After downplaying the pandemics for days, Dana White has said that March 21, March 28 and April 11 cards have been cancelled. March 11 card (UFC Fight Night 171) was scheduled to take place at the O2 Arena in London.
UFC on ESPN 8 card scheduled for March 28 card was moved from Colombus, Ohio to UFC Apex Center. The fight was supposed to be headlined by Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. UFC Fight Night 172, which was supposed to be headlined by Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris on April 11 has also been cancelled.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
I don't think there's a doc out there who would say COVID-19 is more dangerous than fighting for a living. I'm not afraid of it to be honest. It's like the flu but 10x more deadly. So what? I put myself in more danger every day. So for anybody… https://t.co/EAGPtxGEtJ pic.twitter.com/UGPwMjL0NY
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) March 16, 2020
Any one got any extra toilet paper …for my tears
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) March 16, 2020
Nah just gonna stay positive and stay ready https://t.co/yxbGFV1DuH
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) March 16, 2020
Once normalcy is back ufc needs to have a week where there’s an new event Monday-Sunday it can be called FIGHT WEEK
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) March 16, 2020
I think that by continuing the events with “no fans” he is allowing the fighters to continue putting money on the table for their families. No fight = No money for the athletes. I can see your perspective as well. https://t.co/kG729jNkDA
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) March 16, 2020
No…. that's how you get pink eye. I've got enough to worry about right now! https://t.co/uqOCe63UyG
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) March 16, 2020
Honestly, at this point guys who need to make ends meet should start livestreaming sparring sessions on youtube. I honestly think the hardcores will take whatever they can get. And if nothing else it keeps the spirit of MMA alive kinda . #MMA #UFC
— Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIUFC) March 16, 2020
😫 #UFCColumbus #Postponed 👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/SFvYgSUTzV
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) March 16, 2020
be safe, take care everyone 🙏🏻 https://t.co/Zu6qFRLSTF
— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) March 16, 2020
My Corona Virus take https://t.co/5NEbWVy5Jm
— Funky (@Benaskren) March 15, 2020
While disappointing for the fighters who were prepped to be on these cards, it is for sure the correct call. https://t.co/lLKRfs7EBb
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) March 16, 2020
We love you guys and can’t wait to be delivering new content & live action to you – as soon as we can do it safely we’ll be back on your TVs ❤️ For now, let’s all do our best to be healthy, take care of each other and make the most of our social distancing.
— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) March 16, 2020
UFC president Dana White sent out an email to the staff
My Crew,
This has been a crazy couple of weeks.
We’ve been doing everything possible to stick to our live events schedule because the fighters want to fight, our employees want to work, and the fans want to watch our sport.
So many people have reached out over the past few days to say thanks for not canceling our Brasilia event on Saturday. When weird things happen in the world, or when there’s a tragedy, like the October 1 shooting, people want things to get back to normal, and nothing feels more normal than watching sports.
We did everything we could to relocate our next three events– London, Columbus, and Portland. But every day, there are new restrictions put in place on travel and large public gatherings that are making it impossible to stay on schedule. We can’t even hold an event in Vegas, our home town, because there’s a ban on all combat sports events in Nevada until at least March 25.
As you heard me say, I’ve been in the fight game for 20 years, and this is what we do—we find a way to keep our events going no matter what. If fighters miss weight, if fighters get hurt, or if states won’t regulate us, we figure out a way. But this is different. The whole world is being affected right now, and nothing is more important than the health and safety of you and your families.
That’s why we are closing all UFC offices effective immediately, including HQ in Vegas, through at least March 31st, and asking all employees to work from home. The PI will also be closed to all personnel, including athletes, during this time. The next three events– London, Columbus, and Portland—will be postponed. UFC 249 is still scheduled as planned, but the location may change. We’ll keep you posted.
I tell you guys all the time, you are the BEST TO EVER DO IT. It feels shitty now, but WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS, and we’ll be TOUGHER, STRONGER, AND MORE BADASS than before.
Right now, the number one priority is to take care of yourselves and your family.
Finally, I want you to know that UFC has your back. If you or any member of your family is showing symptoms of coronavirus and you’re having trouble getting to a doctor, please reach out to me, Lawrence, or Hunter.
Thanks.
Dana