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Despite the fact that most sports leagues around the world are cancelling and postponing events due to fears of spreading the coronavirus, the UFC announced tonight that they were going to go forward with their upcoming fight cards.
On Thursday night, UFC President Dana White went on ESPN to discuss the company’s plans for their upcoming fight cards. During the interview, White said the UFC was going to go forward with this weekend’s UFC fight night card in Brazil without fans in attendance and that the UFC London card on March 21st would go an as planned.
Dana White officially confirms that the Brasilia event will proceed in an empty arena.
He adds that the current plan for UFC London is to proceed as planned with fans attendance.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 13, 2020
White went on to say that the Columbus card on March 28th and the Portland card on April 11th will be moved to the company’s Apex gym in Las Vegas.
Dana White announces on SC that UFC Columbus on 3/28 is moving to the UFC Apex in Vegas.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 13, 2020
The UFC will not postpone or suspend events, will hold fights without fans in attendance, will move some cards to Las Vegas APEX gym if needed pic.twitter.com/gXnvyKVgyJ
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) March 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/danawhite/status/1238284687191105536
White said he spoke to President Trump and Vice President Pence who advised him to go forward with the events.
Dana White says he spoke with President Trump and Vice President Pence and they advised him to move forward with events "They're saying be cautious, be careful but live your life and quit panicking" pic.twitter.com/LtUEGyo9jr
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) March 13, 2020
As of now here’s still no word on whether the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson UFC 249 fight on April 18th in NYC is still going to happen.