UFC President Dana White just confirmed that the UFC will be back in action on May 9. The news was broken during a live chat with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. White laid out the UFC’s plans for the near future. In addition to the card on May 9, there will be two additional cards in the same week, one on May 13 and one on May 16. Both of those cards will take place in Florida. This ends speculation on the location. White confirmed that the state athletic commission, the mayor and the governor of Florida have given the event their blessing. However, fans will not be in attendance for any of the events.
In response to queries about the Coronavirus, White repeatedly assured that the UFC will undertake all efforts to ensure health and safety, including spending “a ton of money”. After May 9, the UFC will be back in action assured White. White’s announcement comes in the wake of much speculation following multiple cards being scrapped.
White announced that there will also be an event on May 23, but declined to confirm a location for that.
The media day and fight week for the card on May 9, officially named UFC 249, will be similar to the UFC Brasilia event. Less than 10 media members would be present.
Fight Island
When asked about Fight Island, White confirmed that the infrastructure continues to be built. The Island is expected to be operational by the first week of June. International fighters will be booked to fight on the island. White confirmed that in fact, there will be an octagon on the beach.
UFC 249 – a stacked card
Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje will headline the May 9 event. White called it one of the most violent fights ever made. The other fights on the card are:
Henry Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz for the Bantamweight title
Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Jeremy Stephens vs. Calvin Kattar
Donald Cerrone vs. Anthony Pettis
Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan de Castro
Alexsei Oleinik vs. Fabricio Werdum
Carla Esparza vs. Michelle Waterson
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Uriah Hall
Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price
Charles Rosa vs. Bryce Mitchell
Additionally, White also confirmed that Khabib Nurmagomedov will make his return by September.
