Dana White, UFC President gives a speech during 2019 UFC Performance Institute Panel and UFC Fight Night Shenzhen Press Conference at UFC Performance Institute Shanghai (Photo by Yifan Ding/Getty Images)
UFC president Dana White was speaking with TSN from his home as he provided an update on UFC 249.
The president had postponed the next three events due to the coronavirus. However, White had confirmed that UFC 249 would go ahead as planned.
That plan now seems to be in jeopardy as the UFC president couldn’t answer what the future holds for the April 18 clash:
“Listen, 10 days ago I would have told you things for sure. I don’t know, I am sort of rolling with the punches here and have been since the beginning.
“I don’t know, I can’t honestly answer that question for you.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov faces Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 and that fight has been called off four times in the past.
With the US and the UK having severe lock-down measures, Khabib’s father opined that Dubai could be a destination for the clash.
White was asked if the UFC is looking at other locations for this clash and was open to that possibility:
“We’re looking at a lot of different things.”
However, White was in a fighting spirit as he took on those who questioned if he could get this fight done.
“Listen, if you’re a fan, a media member or whatever you might be, you want to bet against me? You want to to bet that I can’t pull stuff off?
“I mean at some point stop doubting me, I would imagine but maybe not, so we’ll see.”
Most other sports leagues and promotions are postponed or suspended for now, and it will be interesting to see when things can get back to normal.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of life, and it is imperative that things improve before any mass gatherings take place.
The UFC held an event without fans in Brasil but things have changed in the US. Khabib vs Ferguson would be great but that should only take place when things are better.
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