The UFC is planning to bring back fights in a big way, beginning with UFC 249 on May 9.
On Friday, the promotion announced that UFC 249 will kick off a trio of events, which also includes May 13 and May 16.
Fights for anything beyond UFC 249 are unknown, but White confirmed the events will take place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., with the regulatory oversight of the Florida State Athletic Commission.
“I can’t wait to deliver some great fights for the fans,” UFC president Dana White in a statement. “I want to give a big thanks to Mayor Curry, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena and Florida State Boxing Commission executive director Patrick Cunningham for getting this thing done and giving us a venue to put on these incredible cards, as well as our media partners including ESPN and ESPN+, for bringing it to fans. My team is ready to go, and the fighters are excited to get back in there with these back-to-back events.”
The UFC’s plan, while still controversial amid the global coronavirus pandemic, has received the full endorsement of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry.
“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,” Curry said. “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+. With Jacksonville continuing to outpace other cities and regions, we are excited to continue to lead as host to these world-class, international sports entertainment organizations.”
White said that the UFC intends to go above and beyond to ensure fighter safety during the COVID-19 crisis. He did not delve into complete details about the type of precautions his promotion intends to take, but he vowed to follow social distancing guidelines and keep everyone involved in the event within a tight circle of safety.
