UFC cancels next 3 shows, read Dana White’s letter to staff
UFC cancels upcoming shows
UFC President Dana White has finally caved, forced to cancel several of the promotion’s upcoming shows due to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe.UFC President Dana White has finally caved, forced to cancel several of the promotion’s upcoming shows due to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe.
Three shows have been shut down after travel restrictions and entire states and countries are telling their people to stay indoors.
Cards impacted are: UFC on ESPN+ 29 (Saturday), UFC on ESPN 8 (March 28), and UFC on ESPN+ 30 (April 11).
Saturday night’s UFC on ESPN+ 29 card in London lost the headliner between Tyron Woodley and Leon Edwards. Colby Covington stepped up and offered his services to fight Woodley after talks of the UFC relocating to another location began to swirl.
Yesterday the Nevada Athletic Commission suspended all combat sports until they reconvene on March 25. This ruled out the UFC promotion relocating cards to their home APEX Center in Las Vegas.
Today, White sent a letter to his staff. MMA Junkie was able to get a copy of the note. See that below.
My Crew,
This has been a crazy couple of weeks.We’ve been doing everything possible to stick to our live events schedule because the fighters want to fight, our employees want to work, and the fans want to watch our sport.
So many people have reached out over the past few days to say thanks for not canceling our Brasilia event on Saturday. When weird things happen in the world, or when there’s a tragedy, like the October 1 shooting, people want things to get back to normal, and nothing feels more normal than watching sports.
We did everything we could to relocate our next three events– London, Columbus, and Portland. But every day, there are new restrictions put in place on travel and large public gatherings that are making it impossible to stay on schedule. We can’t even hold an event in Vegas, our home town, because there’s a ban on all combat sports events in Nevada until at least March 25.
As you heard me say, I’ve been in the fight game for 20 years, and this is what we do—we find a way to keep our events going no matter what. If fighters miss weight, if fighters get hurt, or if states won’t regulate us, we figure out a way. But this is different. The whole world is being affected right now, and nothing is more important than the health and safety of you and your families.
That’s why we are closing all UFC offices effective immediately, including HQ in Vegas, through at least March 31st, and asking all employees to work from home. The PI will also be closed to all personnel, including athletes, during this time. The next three events– London, Columbus, and Portland—will be postponed. UFC 249 is still scheduled as planned, but the location may change. We’ll keep you posted.
I tell you guys all the time, you are the BEST TO EVER DO IT. It feels shitty now, but WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS, and we’ll be TOUGHER, STRONGER, AND MORE BADASS than before.
Right now, the number one priority is to take care of yourselves and your family.
Finally, I want you to know that UFC has your back. If you or any member of your family is showing symptoms of coronavirus and you’re having trouble getting to a doctor, please reach out to me, Lawrence, or Hunter.
Thanks.
Dana
