The UFC finally pulled the plug on future events – including UFC 249 – on Thursday at the directive of Disney and ESPN officials, who apparently weren’t keen on fight cards continuing in during the coronavirus pandemic.
Calling off all events indefinitely has a widespread impact across the landscape of the sport, and while UFC president Dana White fought to push through until the bitter end, he was ultimately overpowered.
The news came as a crushing disappointment for some, a moment of sanity and relief for others. All range of emotions were on display on social media, as you can see in the top Twitter reactions below.
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#BREAKING: #UFC249 canceled, all events on hold indefinitely due to coronavirus pandemic https://t.co/FHXQ45QhrE
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) April 9, 2020
A statement on #UFC249: pic.twitter.com/BkfXLhSbbq
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2020
UFC President Dana White spoke to Brett Okamoto about #UFC249 no longer taking place on April 18.
(via @bokamotoESPN) pic.twitter.com/VRP5jL3k9J
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 9, 2020
Dana White (@danawhite) also made it clear to me after we wrapped the interview the UFC will still promote 42 events this year, which it was originally scheduled to do.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 9, 2020
Éire Abú ☘️ https://t.co/Wee3YEFusr
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 9, 2020
April 18th might not be happening but everything is ok, I'm personally happy and proud of the dedication and commitment of the @ufc and @danawhite
Thank you for trying so hard 🙏#StayStrong #UFC249
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) April 9, 2020
I just want to point out, that @AEWrestling and @WWE have put on shows this whole time, no reports of any issues to my knowledge… for @espn to shut @ufc down is a shame.
— malki kawa (@malkikawa) April 9, 2020
Enter the dragon. 🐉 https://t.co/DqUKuTfgJd
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) April 9, 2020
Booooo https://t.co/5jGj49Pv02
— FIGHT ISLAND (@Benaskren) April 9, 2020
Smh the weaklings won
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 9, 2020
I trained 3 times a day whereever I could, dieted hard while stuck in quarantine, lost my opponent said yes to whoever else they can find, put my health on the line knowing there was a chance it wouldnt happen because I love what I do I’m a fighter. if your celebrating this ef u
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 9, 2020
Wait….BATTLESHIP has a chance then!
This is the time, the ultimate opportunity for an MMA legend to go from rumor to REALITY. https://t.co/hghfYWhOjJ
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) April 9, 2020
It’s the right call for the health and safety of those who are compromised. I’m still in awe it went this far.
Hopefully the fighters get paid something.
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) April 9, 2020
I just accepted my 3rd opponent in a week… sucks. Stay safe everyone !
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) April 9, 2020
1st Hermanssson
2nd Edmem
3rd Romero— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) April 9, 2020
😭😭😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/lYTC9gRdO0
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) April 9, 2020
Soft
— Anthony Rocco Martin (@TonyRoccoMartin) April 9, 2020
Thank you @ufc @danawhite @seanshelby @Mickmaynard2 for trying your hardest to put these fights on. Best team in the business hands down.
— Anthony Rocco Martin (@TonyRoccoMartin) April 9, 2020
Call me Mystic Funk
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 9, 2020
Sad for the fighters and fans who got their hopes up for this. But maybe it’s best to give this virus more time to blow over.
It’s probably bitter-sweet for many of the workers and fighters scheduled to scrap.
We all want to make money, but we want to protect our families too. https://t.co/zSg0KSWoy2— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 9, 2020
Holy Quran 5:11
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يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ هَمَّ قَوْمٌ أَن يَبْسُطُوا إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فَكَفَّ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَنكُمْ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ… https://t.co/XQQyZf12Yz— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) April 9, 2020
No brainer https://t.co/yvcIOOSHtn
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) April 9, 2020
Should be noted before 249 was canceled I asked 1/2 dozen different ACs if this meant that other promoters in boxing or mma could also self regulate within the US and still have their matches considered as having been sanctioned? None have responded to my query yet.
— John S. Nash (@heynottheface) April 9, 2020
Fuck….
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) April 9, 2020
NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
🤬🤬🤬🤬😡🤬😡😡🤬🤬🤬 https://t.co/gIsP42MVJF— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) April 9, 2020
UFC249 has taken me on an emotional rollercoaster! I can’t take this shit.
Imma start hosting backyard brawls on IG live. #cantstopme #ufc249— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) April 9, 2020
#UFC249 cancelled WOW . Respect to @danawhite for trying his hardest to bring sports back to the world . Can’t wait until everyone can return back to their normal lives . Hang in there folks ! 🙏🏾
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 9, 2020
Welp… #UFC249 https://t.co/33e5ANi4Pl
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) April 9, 2020
I am so mad that we won’t get to see fights from a private island lair as promised https://t.co/K5RzkXUGVO
— Sean O'Connell (@realOCsports) April 9, 2020
Well… shit! What next? 🤔
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) April 9, 2020
Thank you @danawhite @mickmaynard2 and everyone @ufc for trying so hard to make this happen. We fighters just want to work and you guys have bent over backwards and spent millions to try and let me. Thank you. As i… https://t.co/Svwt0KnXi1
— Sam Alvey (@smilensam) April 9, 2020
Huge shoutout to @danawhite @seanshelby #Hunter @ufc and everyone that was working hard trying to make it happen! ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾 can’t wait to go the Island 🌴 and fight! #StaySafe #Corona
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) April 9, 2020
