LAS VEGAS – On the UFC on ESPN 9 broadcast on Saturday night, the UFC paid tribute to two individuals: one from inside the MMA community and one from outside of it.
At the start of main card, simulcast on ESPN and ESPN+, the UFC dedicated the broadcast to longtime Nevada Athletic Commission physician Dr. Albert Capanna, as well as George Floyd, whose death sparked outrage and rioting throughout the country this week.
“We did (one) for him and (one) for the Nevada State Athletic Commission doctor who just passed away, too, who was a great guy,” White said at a post-fight news conference following the event. “(He) did a lot of the fights and did a lot of the ‘TUF’ fights.”
Why did the UFC dually dedicate the event to a man from outside the MMA bubble? Like thousands of others who never met Floyd, White felt the impact of his death.
“(We did it) because we should,” White said. “What happened was horrible and it’s something that’s really affecting this country right now and the world. There are riots going on everywhere across the world right now. It was the right thing to do.”
Check out still images of the UFC’s dedications below:
UFC on ESPN 9 took place Saturday at UFC Apex. The main card and prelims streamed live on ESPN and ESPN+.
