The UFC 's return to Ireland in August this year is now a major doubt after the government announced an extension to a ban on mass gatherings.
The promotion were planning a seismic return to Ireland at Dublin's 3 Arena on August 15, but that has now looks very unlikely as a host of sporting events this summer face the axe.
The promotion announced a return to the capital in February, and with tickets yet to go on sale, the promotion won't face a refund headache in the event of a cancellation.
Yesterday, the Irish government announced that all events of 5,000 people or more will be banned until late August, with the MMA showcase falling inside the new restrictions.
A statement from the Government yesterday said: "All Mass Gatherings have been restricted since the March 24.
"Further health advice will be updated in advance of May 5th.
"However, there are a number of largescale future events which require licensing and the involvement of the HSE and Garda Síochána, and public consultation in that licensing process which fall to be determined in advance of that by local authorities.
"While the issue of restrictions on future mass gatherings is a decision to be taken by the NPHET, in the case of these particular events, and taking account of the impacts on the integrity of the licensing process in the short-term due to restrictions on stakeholder involvement, local authorities have been advised by Government that event promoters should be informed that events requiring licences in excess of 5,000 will not be considered for the period up to the end of August.
"This will be kept under review in line with NPHET advices on mass gatherings more generally."
According to ESPN and several other publications, Darren Till and Robert Whittaker were being lined up to headline the 3Arena return in a high-profile middleweight bout.
Whittaker (20-5) held the UFC middleweight strap for the guts of two years until last August, when he was defeated by Israel Adesenya in October.
And the New Zealand-born Australian was due to fight Till last month, with the fight being pulled after the Liverpool fighter picked up an injury.
