The MMA bubble, along with the rest of the sports community and the world at large, has been greatly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic over the past few days.
Despite essentially every sports entity postponing or canceling major events through this weekend and beyond, the UFC and Bellator have merely made the adjustment to put events behind closed doors or relocate them entirely. The fights will go on, though, with Bellator 241 set to take place Friday in Uncasville, Conn., and UFC on ESPN+ 28 scheduled to unfold Saturday in Brasilia, Brazil.
Although the situation has a far reach throughout the industry, the athlete are, naturally, the most heavily impacted by the decisions of MMA promoters. See what many in the sport, including the likes of UFC champion Jon Jones, think about how things are being handled.
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How will the #coronavirus affect the UFC? Well, the show will go on, but there will be some changes. Here's the latest from @danawhite.
Read more: https://t.co/65x2yQIlnq pic.twitter.com/sKeWfJdInO
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) March 13, 2020
#BREAKING: No fans will be allowed inside Mohegan Sun Arena tomorrow night for #Bellator241 because of #coronavirus concerns.
Full story: https://t.co/QmKOL56Q6Q pic.twitter.com/qMKPPBuzIS
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) March 12, 2020
Doesn't matter where the fight is at, we're still going to perform and put on the fun for the fans stuck at home. Happy that the @ufc found a way to make this happen at the UFC Apex. One of the most state of the art facilities in sports. Let’s go👊🏾 #areyounotentertained
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) March 13, 2020
Would appreciate you guys taking the time to talk to your little ones and love ones about the seriousness of this virus.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 13, 2020
I spent over two hours today talking to them about the importance of being aware of their surroundings, not touching their face and continuously hand sanitizing/washing their hands.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 13, 2020
Schools in Albuquerque are out for the next three weeks, can’t help but to sympathize for all the single parents out there completely lost on what to do. no school, no daycare and probably no job soon. This shit is scary
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 13, 2020
I could give two shits about fighting right now, this is bigger than sports https://t.co/4XQf6XHXe0
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 13, 2020
I’m good with fighting in an empty arena. Let’s not panic too crazy, let us fight, entertain the people stuck at home. #UFCBrasilia
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) March 12, 2020
If it Tony vs Khabib gets cancelled because of Coronavirus, that will confirm that this match up is truly cursed and it’ll be time to give up on this dream fight happening.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) March 11, 2020
Guys @TeamKhabib vs sunglasses is happening April 18th. UFC always find a way with or without fans this fight is going down people at home need entertainment
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) March 12, 2020
Our coronavirus panic shopping list is:
Nonexistent.
It’s no secret I’ve been a proud preppier for years- but let’s all learn from this pandemic panic and be a little more self sufficient and prepared in the… https://t.co/T0ifahZm13— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) March 13, 2020
The gods really don’t want @TeamKhabib vs @TonyFergusonXT to happen 😢
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) March 12, 2020
A lot of things going on in Brazil right now because of the virus outbreak but the fight is still on for tomorrow! Everything will be 2 hours earlier then planned and no fans are allowed at the venue but we are healthy and ready to go #UFCBrasilia #forthefans 👊 this one for u
— Randa Markos (@randamma) March 13, 2020
FUCK Coronavirus 🖕🏽🦠
— Danny Roberts #HC (@DanHotChocolate) March 12, 2020
When there is a will, there is away. Can't stop, won't stop! #ONEChampionship #weareone https://t.co/07h4n1igkh
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) March 12, 2020
The Show goes on! I’m not F🤬king leaving Saturday night tune in @espn @espnmma 👊🏾😤🦍🥋 https://t.co/o5QXLpQe6W
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) March 13, 2020
Same opponent same plan! New location ✈️👏🏼 #ufc #ufcapex
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) March 13, 2020
Now the gym is closed?!?! Fuck that, never drinking corona again!!!
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) March 12, 2020
Sooo with everything shutting down for Coronavirus…. when are the utility companies and bill collectors shutting down shop?! Lol Asking for a friend….#Covid_19 #COVD19
— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) March 12, 2020
Despite of #Covid19 the train keeps on rolling. Great evening session on the pads sharpening the blade with the one and only @coacheydstein 🚂🔥⚔️. And to those asking about UFCLondon: The event is still on and will be until it might not be. Please don… https://t.co/2bdNAGZY30 pic.twitter.com/nkRYqhXP1o
— Nicolas “Lokomotivo” Dalby (@DalbyMMA) March 12, 2020
Coronavirus go away already . No one likes you !!!
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 12, 2020
The corona virus fucking with my stocks ….
— Tywan “Air” Claxton (@tclax149) March 13, 2020
It’s nice the UFC will have an alternative to the original venue, but have you ever actually been to a fight gym?
Fighters act superhuman and will train sick/injured to the point of pain off bc they count on paychecks…plus at least 1/3 of the MMA world thinks Trump is a genius— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) March 12, 2020
I knew it! Space Jam predicted the Coronavirus@NBA pic.twitter.com/cd9rKRlga0
— Devin Powell (@DevinPowellMMA) March 13, 2020
Some of you girls are so concerned with washing your hands but what about your hair?!
— Katlyn Chookagian (@blondefighter) March 12, 2020
Dana don’t give a f*** bout no coronavirus lol https://t.co/V5UXhj36pX
— Austin Arnett (@AustinArnettMMA) March 13, 2020
They don’t even test for steroids in Brazil 😂 https://t.co/ep2L4x3sUW
— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) March 12, 2020
Fuck the corona virus can we raise blinker awareness. 🤦🏾♂️
— Jalin Turner (@JalinTurner) March 13, 2020
I wonder how it’ll feel to fight with no fans there. This is gonna be interesting to watch tomorrow #UFCBrasilia
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) March 13, 2020
That awkward moment when you're legitimately low on toilet paper but don't want to go buy any because you don't want to look like one of those crazy hoarder people #Covid_19 #CoronavirusPandemic
— Leah Letson UFC (@LeahNidasMMA) March 12, 2020
2020 has NOT been the year .. stay safe, take care of yourself & your loved ones 🙏🏼
— Tracy Cortez (@TracyCortezmma) March 12, 2020
My heart goes out to everyone effected by this virus. It’s honestly hard to wrap my head around it all.
— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) March 13, 2020
I only have threesomes that’s how my immunity is up. 💪
The fight seems to be cancelled yet again so why not come join me on a coronaholiday in Puerto Rico? Hit me up KN & TF. We shall do #ChampShitOnly #YourMajestyTime 👑 https://t.co/RcJ3LyYSal— Angela Magana (@AngelaMagana1) March 12, 2020
I would bet more then half of fighters would expose themselves to coronavirus before not getting to fight. We aren’t union and don’t get paid to not fight. Most spend all their money getting to their next fight.
— Anthony Rocco Martin (@TonyRoccoMartin) March 12, 2020
Fight got cancelled n moved up… #teamEscudero https://t.co/IUI6Hwxvsa
— Efrain Escudero (@effyescudero) March 12, 2020
But who’s gonna chant ‘uh vai morrer’ now?! #NoOnesGonnaDie #UFCBrasilia https://t.co/o0R1vdl5bn
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) March 12, 2020
As if fighters aren’t emotionally, physically and financially stressed enough this close to a fight I can’t imagine what they are having to deal with mentally. Total and utter chaos and having to read constant opinions of others.Unless your opinion is fact at a time like this🤫
— Leah McCourt (@leahmccourtmma) March 13, 2020
