The COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe has caused the sporting world to grind to a virtual standstill, with even MMA forced to step down its efforts to plow on in the face of rising health concerns.
The outbreak has changed daily living for people in all walks of life, with terms like “self-isolation,” and “social distancing,” not to mention more hand washing than ever before becoming part of our daily routines.
With their main sources of income now severely curtailed, everyone in the MMA world finds themselves facing a different battle in an effort to stay safe as they, like the rest of us, adapt to a new normal during the global health crisis.
Via this page, we’ll keep you right up to date with the latest developments and stories throughout the coronavirus crisis.
(Editor’s note: This will continue to be updated as events unfold with the latest info in chronological from top to bottom.)
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Wednesday, March 18
Cage Warriors 113 card reshuffled – again!
Travel restrictions in Europe have forced three key fights off Friday night’s Cage Warriors 113 card.
The new main event features the UFC middleweight bout between Bartosz Fabinski (14-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and Darren Stewart (11-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC), with support provided in the co-main slot by the Cage Warriors lightweight title fight between Mason Jones (8-0) and Joe McColgan (6-2-1).
It’s just the latest set of changes in a turbulent week for the Cage Warriors team, who moved the entire event from London to Manchester on Tuesday after arena operator AEG closed down indigo at The O2 in the English capital.
Michael Bisping’s advice to panic buyers: Get a (expletive) grip!
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping has never been one to mince his words, and his latest Instagram post is no different, as he shares an image showing the difference between World War II ration queues and panic-buying shoppers fighting over rolls of toilet paper during the 2020 coronavirus crisis.
Offering some perspective, Bisping took to social media to issue something of a public service announcement to his followers (via Instagram).
Get some self respect please. Respect this virus, of course. Employ social distancing, wash hands and remain 6 feet away from one another. The ladies at the top would of had they’re loved ones at war, cities being destroyed, millions of lives lost and still handled themselves with class. The embarrassments at the bottom are literally fighting over unnecessary toilet rolls and hand sanitizers. Get A (expletive) Grip!
Tuesday, March 17
Cage Warriors swaps London for Manchester
It looks like U.K.-based promotion Cage Warriors could have the only live MMA show in the world this weekend, and they remain determined to ensure Friday’s Cage Warriors 113 event goes ahead.
We’ve already seen fight card changes, with fighter replacements and even the addition of UFC fighters to the card. But news that arena operator AEG had closed the venue for Friday’s event, indigo at The O2, prompted more fears that the event would also be canceled.
But, less than hour after that announcement, Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan had secured the use of Manchester’s BEC Arena as the promotion gets set to move 220 miles north to keep the show alive.
Check out the full story here.
Khabib Nurmagomedov: I’ll fight Tony Ferguson anywhere, so long as we’re healthy
In an Instagram live chat along with manager Ali Abdelaziz, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov made it clear that he values everyone’s health and safety.
But he made just as clear that if he and Tony Ferguson are both healthy, then he will fight Ferguson wherever the UFC could get cleared to put on UFC 249 on April 18, and put it behind closed doors.
“People who have quarantine and sit home, they have fun, they watch fights,” Nurmagomedov said. “Fighters go to the arena, they have fun, they do their job. I think we just need maximum 100 people to make this fight. One arena and 100 healthy people around and put a couple cameras and show this around the world – the two best lightweights of all time. This is a very important fight.”
Randa Markos wonders if she has coronavirus
UFC strawweight Randa Markos returned home to Canada on Wednesday feeling ill. Markos lost a unanimous decision to Amanda Ribas Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 28, in Brasilia, Brazil. Now she is concerned about whether she has contracted the virus after testers declined to test her upon her return from South America (via Twitter).
The event was closed to fans after the local government put a moratorium on all mass gatherings due to the pandemic. Fighters on the card were not tested for COVID-19.
The Canadian federal government is requiring all who return to the country from international travel to quarantine for 14 days.
Monday, March 16
First ‘UFC London’ fight shifts to Cage Warriors 113
There will be at least one UFC London fight on the card at Cage Warriors 113 this Friday as the middleweight bout between Wales’ John Phillips and Serbia’s Dusko Todorovic has shifted.
Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan previously revealed to MMA Junkie that he was in discussions with relevant parties to try to save some of the UFC fights that had effectively been scrapped following the enforced postponement Saturday’s event.
So much for Burns vs. Woodley
Gilbert Burns, after expressing optimism he could headline Saturday against Tyron Woodley, says that fight isn’t happening.
Man 🤦🏾♂️ Shame on this former champ he said He is on killer mode! No you’re not you don’t want no smoke! I will see u soon @TWooodley thanks @danawhite @seanshelby and my manager @AliAbdelaziz00 to try to make this fight! I’m always available to fight but this guys talk to much 🤷🏾♂️
Progress slows for Saturday show
If you asked me yesterday, I would’ve said there was a 50-50 chance of Saturday’s UFC card still happening. Now I’m not so sure. From what I’m hearing, things are much less promising, and it sounds like this event will be even tougher to swing than expected.
Regarding the potential Tyron Woodley vs. Colby Covington fight: It’s really coming down to negotiations between Covington and the UFC. It’s not that the UFC is against the matchup. It’s more about what are the promotion is willing to pay to make it happen. Covington might have some leverage given the circumstances – but how much?
Numerous other on-card, off-card, on-roster, and off-roster fighters have been contacted about specific potential matchups. However, negotiations have seemingly slowed over the past 12 hours. Lack of location still seems to be the major issue here. Will that change? We shall see. But remember, fighters usually leave the Tuesday of a fight week. That means tomorrow.
Time is ticking.
– Nolan King
Second ‘UFC London’ fight shifts to Cage Warriors 113
Bartosz Fabinski and Darren Stewart, originally set to face different opponents at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 29 event in London, now will fight each other Friday at Cage Warriors 113. Promotion president Graham Boylan announced the news to MMA Fighting.
UFC postpones next three events
In a letter to UFC employees obtained by MMA Junkie, Dana White announces that the next three events – UFC on ESPN+ 29 (Saturday), UFC on ESPN 8 (March 28), and UFC on ESPN+ 30 (April 11) – are all postponed. White indicated that UFC 249, headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson, is still scheduled but said the promotion is looking for a new location.
Sunday, March 15
Original UFC on ESPN+ 29 card in shambles
With U.S. travel restrictions extended to the U.K. and England among countries banning large gathering, UFC on ESPN+ 29 – scheduled to take place Saturday in London – effectively has been scrapped. Some fights remain, while others are canceled altogether.
The UFC has sent out an internal memo to managers in wake of the situation, essentially opening the door for any fighters – on the UFC roster or not – to volunteer their services for a makeshift event.
Woodley vs. Edwards headliner canceled
The UFC on ESPN+ 29 lineup takes a big blow as the headliner between Tyron Woodley and Leon Edwards is canceled. Edwards made the announcement on Instagram.
“We have been working with the UFC on possible solutions to keep the fight alive,” Edwards said, “but unfortunately with such a short window of time, nothing was viable.”
Covington volunteers to fight Woodley
With UFC on ESPN+ 29 in need of a headliner, Colby Covington says he’s willing to fight longtime rival Tyron Woodley on six days’ notice.
Woodley says he is interested.
Woodley calls Covington’s bluff
Even though Colby Covington says he’s willing to fight in the UFC on ESPN+ 29 main event, Tyron Woodley claims he wasn’t serious.
Woodley says he accepted but that Covington said he was “just kidding.”
Burns in mix as possible Woodley opponent?
Fresh off a first-round TKO win over Demian Maia last Saturday, Gilbert Burns hints that he’s been offered to step in and fight Tyron Woodley. All that awaits is for Woodley to accept.
The fight has being offered! As always I said yes! On my way to Miami! Can’t wait to as soon as a land tomorrow to have a @ufc contract on my email! Waiting on you @TWooodley to say YES!
Cage Warriors to the rescue?
Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan tells MMA Junkie that he is willing to put previous UFC London fights on his card this Friday. Cage Warriors 113 is expected to go on behind closed doors.
“We have been trying to save a couple of the UFC London fights and have them compete at the show as contracted UFC fights on Cage Warriors,” Boylan said. “I’m just trying to help the fighters not miss out on competing. It may or may not happen, as it’s a fast-moving situation and trying to pull all the moving parts together is super tricky.”
