It was announced on Monday that the UFC would be moving forward with UFC 249 at an unknown location, and it has been reported on Twitter by Jeff Sherwood that the event will take place at Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Lemoore, California.
Following the announcement of the UFC going forward with fight card during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, the Association of Ringside Physicians released a statement recommending that all combat sporting events be postponed until further notice.
“The Association of Ringside Physicians has been actively following the recommendations of the CDC as well as other professional medical societies concerned with the spread of COVID-19, or novel coronavirus,” the statement said. “Sporting events across the world have been cancelled in response to the increased risk of infection and transmission by participants, fans, officials, and support staff.”
“It is our recommendation that all combat sporting events be postponed until further notice. This includes any and all events, regardless of the number of people involved. Any combat sport taking place during this global pandemic places the athletes, officials, and anyone else involved in the event under unnecessary risk of infection and transmission of Covid-19. In addition, combat sports athletes often require medical attention after a bout, and we do not wish to see any additional strain on an already overwhelmed medical system. We continue to monitor this ever-evolving situation, and our thoughts continue to be with those who have been and will be affected by this disease. Our organization remains steadfast in our mission: to serve, protect, and educate all involved in combative sports.”
On Tuesday evening, The MMA Report received a statement from the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports Board of Directors about UFC 249 and it notes that if an event happens without regulation by a tribal/state athletic commission, it will be considered a non-sanctioned event.
“The Association of Boxing Commission and Combative Sports (ABC) Board of Directors are very concern with an event being on tribal land without the regulation by a tribal/state athletic commission,” the statement said. “The ABC concurs with the Association of Ringside Physicians that it’s a very trying time for the entire world. Fighter safety is paramount. If the fight occurs, it will be considered a non-sanctioned event since a state/tribal commission will not be present. All officials that decide to participate in the event, they may be sanctioned on a tribal/state level.
After receiving a statement from the ABC Board of Directors on Tuesday event, ABC President Brian Dunn sent a statement to The MMA Report about UFC 249. He mentioned the UFC has agreed to increase medical presence and regulate the event by international standards.
“I have discussed the matter with the ABC Board of Directors and officials from the UFC,” Dunn told The MMA Report. “They agreed to increase medical presence and regulate the event by international standards. The official ABC position is neutral on the matter, as we do not have jurisdiction.”
For more coverage of UFC 249, download the new episode of The MMA Report Podcast to hear myself and Daniel Galvan discuss our thoughts on UFC going forward with this event.