Dana White is adamant about getting the UFC up and running again.
Even after just cancelling UFC 249, Dana White is booking fights for an upcoming event on May 9. Talk about persistence. It took the Governor of California, ESPN and it’s parent company Disney to shut down UFC 249 just last week.
Despite that, Dana White is promising an event just weeks after UFC 249’s scheduled date.
While the economy continues to slow and the global health crisis continues to ravage the world, Dana White is adamant about putting fights on as reported on by Brett Okamoto.
BREAKING: UFC president Dana White says the company has turned its focus to hosting its next event on May 9 at a location TBD. He remains adamant the company will get back on schedule, and barring outside factors, intends to hold a card on May 9. **Targeted matchups** include … pic.twitter.com/HBcqC8SmH7
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 14, 2020
I love fights more than the next MMA nut, but it just seems like poor timing. We have no idea how massive the fallout of the health crisis will be. There will be major consequences to the sickness and how poorly it’s been handled so far. It’s almost as if Dana White is missing the forest for the trees. Putting on events during this moment in time is simply reckless.
In the current climate, to suggest for fighters to compete, putting themselves and their families and friends at risk, just seems a bit careless. Fighters have to make money by fighting, so these athletes wanting to compete can’t faulted for accepting matches. But while we still know so little of the effects of the spreading sickness, to have them compete and potential contract something they can spread to those around them is extremely dangerous.
It’s as if Dana White is trying to compete with Vince McMahon to see how can still put on events during this crisis.
The card Dana White has planned seems to be like a doozie. Re-booking Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje (a mistake in this writer’s humble opinion) as well as a title fight between Henry Cejudo and Dominick Cruz. Those two fights alone will generate major interest. Add that to the fact that these fights could be on the now infamous “Fight Island” and you have must watch TV. The unfortunate thing is that major sacrifices will have to be made for all it to come to pass.
With the previous event cancelled and May 9 just around the corner, is it likely this event will even happen? Gut instinct is leaning on this one being cancelled as well unless it takes place on “Fight Island.” Barring that, it’s hard to imagine any state, besides Florida of course, allowing a UFC event to take place.
Do you think the UFC should be postponing their events for the next few months?
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Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
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