The location of Fight Island has been a major topic of conversation in the MMA world. On Friday, White shared some details about the mysterious island that the UFC President plans to use as a location for future events while speaking with one of the promotion’s announcers Jon Anik on a live ESPN MMA interview on Twitter.
White didn’t disclose the exact location, but he did give a timetable for when the first events would be held on Fight Island. White said, “right now, we’re looking at June, having three or four fights there in a month.”
White also added, “I’ll probably be there for all of July.”
So, not only is White planning to have three or four shows on the island, but he’s also planning to stay there himself for a month. While we’re in the midst of a pandemic, the appeal of having a designated island to stage shows has some obvious appeal to the UFC. Beyond this imperfect time, the promotion could also ultimately have events at this location with a specific theme.
The UFC could effectively build certain kinds of events at this location, and seek to create a theme around it if that hasn’t already happened–or hasn’t at least been discussed.
With White planning to have events on the island in a matter of weeks, it seems certain we’ll be learning of the location and dates of those events soon. One thing seems certain, next Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card won’t be on Fight Island. White revealed the entire card for that show and the probable location.
Tyron Woodley vs. Gilbert Burns Headed for UFC Apex in Nevada
ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 28: (L_R) Tyrone Woodley poses on the scale during the UFC 214 weigh-in at Honda Center on July 28, 2017 in Anaheim, California. Woodley will fight Demian Maia in a welterweight title bout on July 28, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The next UFC card, barring some sort of last-minute issues from the state of Nevada, will be held at the UFC Apex. The facility was built to host some of the promotion’s specific events. will be headlined by former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley taking on the surging Brazilian, Gilbert Burns.
Woodley is still the No. 1-ranked welterweight in the UFC since losing his title to Kamaru Usman in 2019. Woodley has been on the shelf for a while but claims to be in “a violent headspace” ahead of this clash with Burns.
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – APRIL 27: Gilbert Burns of Brazil reacts after defeating Mike Davis during their lightweight bout at UFC Fight Night at BB&T Center on April 27, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Woodley is one of the greatest welterweights in UFC history, but he is 38 years old. Coming off a loss and a long layoff, there may be questions about his ability to perform at an elite level. Burns is as hot as they come. The 33-year-old has won five fights in a row, and he’s looking to vault himself into the Top 5 with a victory. It should be an intriguing main event.
Here is the complete card for the May 30 event:
- Gilbert Burns vs. Tyron Woodley – Welterweight
- Augusto Sakai vs. Blagoy Ivanov – Heavyweight
- Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez – Welterweight
- Roosevelt Roberts vs. Brok Weaver – Lightweight
- Mackenzie Dern vs. Hannah Cifers – Women’s Strawweight
- Katlyn Chookagian vs. Antonina Shevchenko – Women’s Flyweight
- Billy Quarantillo vs. Spike Carlyle – Featherweight
- Klidson Abreu vs. Jamahal Hill — Light Heavyweight
- Tim Elliott vs. Brandon Rovyal — Men’s Flyweight
- Casey Kenney vs. Louis Smolka – Men’s Bantamweight
- Chris Gutiérrez vs. Vince Morales – Men’s Bantamweight
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Dana White Reveals Details on UFC Fight Island