UFC, Top Rank and others may have dodged a big bullet -- but the UFC isn't hanging around to find out.
While the UFC was off in Brazil holding a Fight Night event in front of no fans, the Nevada State Athletic Commission held a meeting about the immediate future of combat sports in the state. For the next two weeks, there will be no events in the state as all combat sports licenses have been revoked until a March 25 meeting.
NSAC just voted in favor to revoke all combat sports licenses until March 25. Currently, this doesn’t affect the UFC as their next Vegas event is on 3/28. The next hearing is on 3/25. Nothing else was voted on.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 14, 2020
Initially it looked as if this were a big sigh of relief for the UFC, who moved their planned Columbus event on March 28 to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. That is no longer happening. Both UFC events set for the Apex on March 28 and April 11 are no longer in Las Vegas, and don't yet have venues.
Furthermore, due to travel bans to and from the UK. next weekend's show in London will be moved "likely to the United States," said UFC President Dana White Saturday night on Sportscenter. UFC matchmakers are trying to put together an undercard for the show.
Due to newly-implemented travel restrictions, @danawhite announces #UFCLondon will move to a “new venue, likely in the United States.” (via @SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/gaJPm4c20d
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 15, 2020
White also says the planned Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson card planned for April will not take place in Brooklyn or Las Vegas. “The fans are all freakin’ out about that. Do not worry; Khabib versus Tony will happen," White said.
“The fans are all freakin’ out about that. Do not worry; Khabib versus Tony will happen.”@danawhite says only a “total shutdown of the country” would lead to fight cards like #UFC249 being canceled. (via @SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/pliGtv4wc1
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 15, 2020
Dana White vowed to continue promoting fights unless the entire country ended up shutting down to the point nobody could leave their houses.
Bellator, KSW and numerous other promotions were forced to delay or cancel their events after concerns of COVID-19 spreading, even without spectators in the audience.
Fightful will keep you up to date with all the latest.
