PICK A SIDE: Should the UFC proceed with 249
Published April 9, 2020 at 12:55 am
Before the world was launched into a pandemic that has cancelled all sporting events and forced people to stay in their homes, Dana White was one of the more polarizing figures in professional spor
Before the world was launched into a pandemic that has cancelled all sporting events and forced people to stay in their homes, Dana White was one of the more polarizing figures in professional sports.
Now, White has doubled down on that perception.
Despite the fact the World Health Organization is urging people to practise social distancing, and the fact all professional sports leagues have suspended competitions, White intends to proceed with UFC 249.
White is pushing forward with the event even though one of the key players won’t be in attendance–Khabib Nurmagomedov, the current lightweight champion announced he would not be fighting.
This means the main event, which was supposed to be Nurmagomedov versus Tony Ferguson (a fight that appears cursed, and has now been scheduled and cancelled five times), will now be Ferguson versus Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title.
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Additionally, the co-main event will have to be altered, as Rose Namajunas, who was supposed to co-headline the card in a rematch of her fight against former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade, will no longer be competing–the reasons Namajunas has backed out remain unclear.
However, the card is otherwise stacked and features several compelling fights, including former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy who’ll be taking on Yorgan De Castro in the heavyweight division, Vicente Luque versus Niko Price in the welterweight division, and Jeremy Stephens versus Calvin Kattar in the featherweight division rounds out the main card.
The preliminary card features some compelling matchups as well, including walking nightmare Francis Ngannou who’ll be taking on up-and-coming sensation Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the heavyweight division, and Uriah Hall versus Ronaldo Souza in the middleweight division.
The fight’s location has also been changed; it was originally supposed to be held at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn.
However, White was forced to call an audible after the state of New York implemented a ban on large gatherings.
As a result, White announced he had bought an entire island, which is where the fight would allegedly be taking place.
However, the latest reports indicate the fight will be taking place in California.
This would appear difficult, as the California State Athletic Commission implemented a ban on combat sports until the end of May.
In order to circumvent this ban, White is reportedly planning on having UFC 249 at the Tachi Palace Casino Resort, which is owned by the Tachi-Yokut Tribe–who are part of the Santa Rosa Indian Community.
With how fast things are changing amid the pandemic, April 18 seems like a lifetime away, and so many things could happen between now and then.
However, the one thing that appears constant is: White intends to make sure this card happens… even if it’s the last thing he does.
As is often the case with White, there are people who support his decision and people who deride it.
Sports fans who are feeling withdrawal symptoms are likely looking forward to having SOME form of competition to watch.
Others probably feel White is being irresponsible and taking an unnecessary risk during a time when it can have significantly greater-than-normal consequences.
So, Brampton, what do you think?
Should White proceed with UFC 249, or should he reschedule the event?
Cover photo courtesy of the UFC’s Twitter
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