After several unsuccessful attempts to organize fights in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, the UFC, the most important professional league of MMA, announced Friday the holding of a party behind closed doors, on May 9 in Florida. UFC 249 will be held in the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, with 12 fights including the lightweight title match between Americans Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje.
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« I can’t wait to deliver great fights to the fans and the fighters are excited to be back in the arena “Said Dana White, boss of the UFC, assuring that” they and staff will have to comply with a series of precautionary measures “, to know ” undergo advanced medical examinations, temperature checks, and adhere to social distancing guidelines ».
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Two other evenings will take place at the same place on May 13 and 16, again behind closed doors, with only the presence of production staff.
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« As we progress step by step on the path to economic recovery, we are proud to host these UFC events. “, For his part declared Lenny Curry, the mayor of Jacksonville, for whom the project is” safe and sensible ».
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In Florida, professional sport is an “essential service”
After having sketched the idea of a private island, then failed, under pressure, to organize a fight on an Indian reservation where he would have circumvented the restrictive directives imposed by the State of California, Dana White therefore pushed the door open. by Florida.
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Two weeks ago, Governor Ron DeSantis granted professional sport the status of “essential service” to his state during the coronavirus pandemic, like hospitals, firefighters and grocers.
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Are concerned ” all employees of a professional sport and a national audience production, including athletes, participants, production teams, management teams, media and other personnel essential to the holding of such events, and this only if the place where they take place is closed to the general public ».
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World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the main organizer of wrestling matches, resumed its activities in the wake in Orlando.
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