Ferguson and Gaethje headline UFC 249, the first major US sports event since coronavirus shutdown
Sports fans are itching for some action, and Ultimate Fighting Championship just might have the answer.
UFC 249, the first major US sporting event since coronavirus shutdowns, will see fighters Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje battle for the interim lightweight championship on Saturday.
“Ferguson vs. Gaethje will be one of the most violent fights you’ll ever see, I can guarantee that,” UFC president Dana White told ESPN. “They’re two of the best in the world, and the winner will fight Khabib [Nurmagomedov] for the title. Khabib will be back in September-October.”
Gaethje is filling in for Russian UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov, who was supposed to defend his title against Ferguson but is unable to travel due to current restrictions.
In the co-main event, Henry Cejudo will defend his UFC bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz. The latter hasn’t fought in more than three years, but is eager to step into the octagon.
The event will take place at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, without a live audience. Fans can stream the big fight on ESPN+ at 10 p.m. EDT. The early prelims and prelims will be available to watch on ESPN and ESPN+ starting at 6 p.m.
More fights to come
To keep the action going, UFC has scheduled two additional fight nights on May 13 and 16.
Like Saturday night’s event, they, too, will be in VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena and closed to the public, “with only essential personnel in attendance,” UFC said.
“As we move step-by-step on the path toward economic recovery, we are proud to host these UFC events at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said in a statement.
“The UFC organization is a renowned entertainment brand that’s presented a safe and sensible plan to use this Jacksonville location, and we are thrilled to have our city highlighted nationally on ESPN and ESPN+.”
UFC President Dana White told CNN Sport that the organization is taking proper precautions to ensure health and safety amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Listen, we have families, too,” White said. “I have a family; I don’t want to hurt my family. I don’t want to die.
“This isn’t just some crazy (operation), this is a well thought out plan. We’ve had very, very smart people, doctors and people that have been involved with the UFC for a very long time working on this thing non-stop since it started. We believe that we have this thing in a place where it can be as safe as it can possibly be.”
The UFC’s website states: “All athletes and staff will be required to adhere to a number of precautionary measures, such as participating in advanced medical screenings and temperature checks and following social distancing guidelines.”
