After UFC president Dana White’s attempt to hold UFC 249 on California tribal ground got shut down by ESPN, it appears that the event has a new time and date.
The event originally scheduled for April 18 now has the green light to take place on May 9 somewhere in Florida, MMA Fighting reports. Exactly where in Florida isn’t exactly clear. But fighters will fly into Jacksonville before traveling to an undisclosed location for the event, according to the report.
Why Florida?
Jacksonville’s leadership came under heavy criticism over the weekend after Mayor Lenny Curry ordered beaches open while the COVID-19 pandemic still maintains a foothold in the United States.
Meanwhile Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a memo earlier in April deeming professional sports essential businesses, opening the door for the return of MMA.
White has insisted that UFC events will continue in spite of COVID-19 concerns, and Florida’s willingness to ease restrictions aligns with his point of view. White had planned to hold UFC 249 at the Tachi Palace Casino in Central California in an effort to skirt state and regulatory mandates prioritizing safety amid the pandemic.
Problems with other locations
The tribal ground would not have been subject to a California State Athletic Commission mandate prohibiting MMA fights through the end of May and stay-at-home orders from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office. Only when broadcast partner ESPN stepped in did White announce that the event had been postponed.
The card had originally been slated for Brooklyn, New York, before regulators nixed the event as COVID-19 began to spread in the United States.
White has repeatedly vowed that he’s secured a private island to hold fights outside of the watch of government regulations, but has yet to reveal its location. It appears that Florida will do for now.
Commission will reportedly approve
MMA Fighting reports that the Florida State Boxing Commission confirmed that it will regulate sporting events that adhere to social distancing guidelines including closing them to the general public.
Tuesday’s report arrives a day after UFC announced the cancellation of four other events scheduled through May.
Tony Ferguson is scheduled to take on Justin Gaethje, who replaced original headliner Khabib Nurmagomedov on top of the card. Nurmagomedov chose to remain home with his family in Russia instead of traveling to fight during the coronavirus pandemic.
Dual title-holder Amanda Nunes announced on Monday that she will not defend her featherweight belt on May 9 after being linked to a potential UFC 249 card.
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