The UFC finds itself in another difficult position, as they have lost the venue to their biggest event to date. UFC 249 was supposed to be the long-awaited fight between lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson on April 18 in Brooklyn, NY. However, with the threat of the coronavirus and in hopes to stop it from spreading that may change.
ESPN’s Marc Remondi reports per the New York Athletic Commission that, “Out of an abundance of caution and in line with recent guidance issued by the Center for Disease Control and New York State, the New York State Athletic Commission informed the UFC that UFC 249 cannot be held in NY.” The UFC has canceled their three upcoming events and UFC President Dana White has been adamant that UFC 249 will happen. White has suggested that UFC 249 may have to happen out of the United States. However, with travel restrictions being placed in the U.S and in other countries, it will make it difficult for that to happen as well.
Everyone competing on the supposed UFC 249 card is still training under the impression it will go on. Some fighters have to deal with not being able to train in their gyms due to the coronavirus. Ronaldo Souza is training out of his garage to prepare for his fight against Uriah Hall at UFC 249. The UFC is running out of options and soon may be forced to officially postpone or cancel UFC 249.