It’s going to be a while before we see a live UFC fight. UFC President Dana White announced on ESPN that the UFC has canceled their next three events. White has been pushing back on the idea of canceling UFC events, to the point of having UFC Fight Night 170 without any audience. With President Donald Trump’s recent urge to limit mass gatherings to 10 people, the UFC is forced into canceling events until further notice.
The next three UFC cards were to be held on March 21, March 28 and April 11. UFC Fight Night 171 was to happen on March 21, with the main event between welterweight’s Leon Edwards and Tyron Woodley in London, England. However, the entire card fell apart with travel restrictions placed in the UK and the U.S and the threat of the coronavirus. UFC on ESPN 8 was to take place on March 21 and was supposed to feature the main event between heavyweight’s Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik in Columbus, Ohio. UFC Fight Night 172 was to take place on April 11 and was to feature the main event between Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris in Portland, Oregon.
With all three of the UFC upcoming events canceled, the most anticipated fight in UFC history is now in jeopardy. UFC 249 takes place on April 18 in Brooklyn, NY and is scheduled to feature the main event for the lightweight championship between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. White is confident that the fight will happen and has even hinted that the fight may not take place in the U.S.
Time will tell what will happen, but the chances of UFC 249 happening under the right conditions seem to be bleak. The reality has settled in that cancelation of combat sports during this time is a necessary option for the foreseeable future. The UFC has a history of going against authority, which led to the organization’s success. However, now is about the safety of the athlete’s lives and their families. Instead of wondering when the next fight will be, fans should be concerned if the UFC will take care of their athletes during these tough times.