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It has been reported that UFC 249 has been canceled and that all other UFC events are postponed indefinitely. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported the news:
The company’s president, Dana White, has been adamant that the UFC would continue to put on events amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, starting with April 18’s UFC 249. The promotion altered the event in many ways to keep it going, including a change in venues and a rework of the entire fight card. However, it wasn’t enough.
Even though April 18’s event is canceled, Dana White clarified on Instagram Live that UFC 249 is “postponed” indefinitely.
The UFC Received Pressure From Disney & ESPN to ‘Stand Down’
In an interview with Okamoto, Dana White said, “I’ve told you this whole thing has been a battle since day one. We’ve been fighting nonstop all day and all night since this pandemic started to put on this on April 18.”
“Today we got a call from the highest level you can go at Disney and the highest level of ESPN,” he continued. “The powers to be there asked me to stand down and not do this event next Saturday.”
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Dana White Promises to Bring a ‘Big Fight’ to Tachi Palace
The UFC never disclosed the location for UFC 249, but The New York Times reported on Tuesday that UFC 249 was going to be on tribal land, 40 miles south of Fresno at the Tachi Palace Casino Resort near Lemoore, California.
In the interview with Okamoto, White praised the Tachi Palace for trying to make the event happen, and he said, “Let me tell you this, when the world gets back to normal, the California event will be at Tachi Palace.” He promised to bring a “big fight” to the casino.
The UFC President Promised His Fighters That He Will Make the Fights Up & He Said No Employees Would Be Laid Off
Dana White said, “All of my fighters that are under contract with me, I want them to feel safe, take time with your families and enjoy this time. Don’t worry about the financial part of this — you’re going to get the fights on your contract then I’m going to make things right with the people who were willing to step up next weekend on April 18.
“I’m going to take care of as many people as I possibly can, and do whatever it takes to make these guys feel comfortable.” He told Okamoto.
Dana White also said that none of his UFC employees would get laid off.
He said, “We will be the first sport back, fight island is real. It’s a real thing, the infrastructure is being built right now. That’s really going to happen, and it will be on ESPN.”
The New Main Event For UFC 249 Was Announced on Monday
UFC 249 was originally supposed to be headlined by UFC lightweight champ Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov and No. 1 contender Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson. The Eagle, who lives in Dagestan, was forced to pull out of the fight due to travel restrictions.
On Monday, Dana White announced that the new main event would be an interim title fight between El Cucuy and the No. 4 ranked lightweight, Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje.
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