Fans hoping to see the UFC return to action with UFC 249 next weekend had their dreams shattered when the promotion canceled that event and postponed all future cards in light of the coronavirus.
UFC President Dana White has been securing a so called “Fight Island” to hold events in light of the coronavirus pandemic and he says the location should be able to hold events in about one month.
“That’s why I’m telling all my guys not to worry because ‘Fight Island’ is gonna happen,” White told Brett Okamoto of ESPN (via Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie). “All the infrastructure is being built right now and getting put in place. As we get closer to that, then I’ll start figuring out booking fights, getting guys ready. Plus, I can ship guys over there earlier, and they can start training over there, on the island. So, once that’s all in place – we’re looking at like a month – I’ll have that all put together, and guys can start training and can go there. I’m sure people are gonna be ready to get out of their houses in another month and go to an island somewhere and train.”
There is no word yet on the exact location of the “Fight Island,” as neither White or anybody associated with the UFC has gone public with that information.
The UFC had also had plans to run events for the next two months at the Tachi Palace Resorts Casino in Lemoore, California before the cancellations and postponements, and White says the people at Tachi Palace Resorts Casino had their backs throughout the whole ordeal.
“One thing I need to point out is that Tachi Palace in California, the Indian reservation, has had our back this whole time and has stood their ground and was willing to do this fight,” White said. “Let me tell you this: When the world gets back to normal, the California event will be at Tachi Palace. I’m doing a fight there. I’m going to bring them a big fight, and I appreciate them standing with me in this thing.”
If the UFC does return to action in approximately one month, it would mean that three more cards would’ve been canceled and six in all due to the coronavirus pandemic.
