Dana White has reacted to the decision to have UFC 249 and “Fight Island” on ESPN cancelled following on from the coronavirus outbreak.
The UFC president has predicted it will off the Octagon in a month. But for now, his priority is all of his staff at UFC.
“I’m going to take care of as many people as I possibly can and do whatever it takes to make all these guys feel comfortable. All of my employees, nobody is getting laid off at the UFC. Everybody is good. We will be the first sport back.” White said.
“All of my fighters that are under contract with me, I want them to feel safe, take time with your families and enjoy this time.
“Don’t worry about the financial part of this. You’re going to get the fights in your contract, and I’m going to make things right with the people who were willing to step up and fight next weekend on April 18. Fight Island infrastructure is being built and will be up and running ASAP,” White added.
White had initially planned to use the so-called “Fight Island” idea for foreign fighters who couldn’t get into the US. But he has been forced to backtrack after broadcaster ESPN stepped in to halt the plans.
“ESPN has been in constant contact with the UFC regarding UFC 249. Nobody wants to see sports return more than we do, but we didn’t feel this was the right time for a variety of reasons. ESPN expressed its concerns to the UFC and they understood.” ESPN said in a statement.
With the coronavirus outbreak sweeping the globe, UFC lightweight champion “The Eagle” Khabib Nurmagomedov took to a social media to say that he was withdrawing from his fight against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18.
“I understand everything and I’m definitely upset more than you to cancel the fight, probably like all others, I had many plans after the fight, but I can’t control it.” Khabib wrote.
