UFC 249 Canceled; Future Events Postponed

Another one bites the dust. According to a report from ESPN, UFC 249 has been canceled and will not be taking place on April 18, as originally scheduled. This is despite the efforts of UFC President Dana White’s efforts to move forward with the event.

All future events regarding the promotion have been postponed as well, due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic that is sweeping the world.

Below are some quotes from various sources regarding the situation:

UFC President Dana White:

“Today, we got a call from the highest level you can go at Disney, and the highest level at ESPN … and the powers that be there asked me to stand down and not do this event on Saturday,” White told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto on Thursday.

“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,” White said Thursday. “Don’t worry about the financial part of this. You’re gonna get the fights in your contract, and I’m gonna make things right with the people who were willing to step up and fight next weekend on April 18.

“And I’m gonna take care of as many people as I possibly can, and do whatever it takes to make these guys all feel comfortable.”

ESPN:

“ESPN has been in constant contact with the UFC regarding UFC 249. Nobody wants to see sports return more than we do, but we didn’t feel this was the right time for a variety of reasons. ESPN expressed its concerns to the UFC and they understood.”

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.:

“This event would involve dozens of individuals flying to California and driving to a casino for a purpose no one can honestly claim is essential,” Feinstein said in her statement. “I understand this event is scheduled to take place on tribal land and therefore is not subject to state law. However, at best this event ties up medical resources and sends a message that shelter-in-place orders can be flouted.

“At worst, participants and support staff could carry the virus back to their home communities and increase its spread.”

This is the next in a series of sporting events that have canceled or postponed to the Coronavirus; others include the NCAA Basketball Tournaments, the NBA, NHL and MLB regular seasons and Wimbledon. In addition, WrestleMania 36 was moved from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.

The main event was going to be an interim lightweight title fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje.

Editor’s Opinion:

No surprises here. I’m surprised it took this long for them to cancel it.

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