Dana White discusses UFC’s coronavirus plans: ‘Instead of panicking, we’re working with doctors’
UFC president, Dana White has finally revealed what the UFC is doing about the coronavirus, aka COVID-19.
The World Health Organization has officially called the illness a pandemic and sports organizations like the NHL, NBA, MLB have suspended their seasons. MMA and boxing promotions like BKFC, ARES, ONE, and Golden Boy have postponed events. Yet, until Thursday night, the UFC was radio silent on what was going on.
Now, speaking on SportsCenter, White revealed what the UFC’s plans are.
”I talked to the president and the vice president about this, and they’re taking this very serious,” White said (via MMA Fighting). “They’re saying, ‘Be cautious, be careful, but live your life and stop panicking.’ Everybody is panicking. And instead of panicking, we’re actually getting out there and working with doctors and health officials and the government to figure out how to keep the sport safe and continue to put on events.”
The UFC has also moved events like UFC Columbus and UFC Portland to the APEX. The UFC will work directly with the Nevada State Atheltic Commission to hold the events there with no fans.
“We’re working directly with the Nevada State Athletic Commission and executive director Bob Bennett,” he said. “We’re always looking out for the health and safety of our fans, our athletes, whatever it might be. Obviously, this thing is going on, we’re going to do the same thing: We’re going to make sure two healthy athletes are competing.”
It is no doubt a very weird and surreal time in the world and the sports world. Yet, the Las Vegas-based promotion remains a system go despite the major North American sports leagues and massive golf tournaments like the Masters being postponed/suspended due to the virus.
And, Dana White promises that his athletes will remain safe.
“They want to fight, they want to compete, and we’re going to do everything we can to keep them safe,” White said.
