UFC 249 to be staged on May 9 without spectators

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

UFC 249 finally got a date after getting canceled last Saturday due to the COVID-19 pandemic preventive measures.

UFC president Dana White and the rest of the organizing committee booked May 9, 2020, for UFC 249 which will be held at Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida.

After Florida governor Ron DeSantis declared essential services status for “employees at a professional sports and media production with a national audience if the location is closed to the general public,” UFC then made moves to host their event but with the exception that no spectators will be allowed to watch.

Headlined by the bout between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title, White expressed his happiness and enthusiasm in the upcoming event that will be held in Florida.

“I can’t wait to deliver some great fights for the fans. My team is ready to go and the fighters are excited to get back in there with these back-to-back events,” White said.

After the May 9 main event schedule, White will also hold fight cards on May 13 and May 16 in the same venue with still no spectators allowed to grace the double-header.

Jacksonville Mayor, Lenny Curry, called the upcoming UFC events as safe and sensible, adding that he is proud to host the fights from May 9 to May 16.