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Dana White refuses to deny that UFC 249 will be staged on tribal land


The UFC president is pushing ahead with his controversial fight plans (Picture: Getty)

Dana White has refused to deny reports that UFC 249 will be held on tribal land in California as he continues to push ahead with controversial plans to stage the event despite the coronavirus crisis.

Headliner Khabib Nurmagomedov has already pulled out, with Justin Gaethje drafted in to take on Tony Ferguson instead, and White – who is also securing a deal for an island to host international fights – is keeping the location of the event top secret.

A recent report in the New York Times claims the pay-per-view show will now take place on tribal land at the Tachi Palace Casino Resort in central California, which gets around state regulators and nationwide public health guidelines.

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White has amassed plenty of critics for trying to stage the event in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic – with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn among them – but he is adamant he will not be deterred.

Asked to confirm where the fight will take place, White told ESPN on Wednesday evening: ‘So we’re going to be live from ESPN. That’s where.

‘It doesn’t matter where it is because, first of all, no fans can come. You can’t come to the fight, you can’t buy a ticket. The only place to watch this in the United States is ESPN and that’s the only thing that matters.

‘I know that several news sources are putting out places where they think it is. ESPN is where it is, that’s all you need to know.’

Asked if he was referring specifically to the report in the New York Times regarded the tribal land, White said bluntly: ‘ESPN.’

Pressed on the ‘politics’ he’s had to overcome to try and stage the event, White continued: ‘A lot of politics that I’m not going to get into. It’s not worth it.

‘Listen I’ve jumped through a lot of hoops and I’ve battled with a lot of different forces leading up to this fight and… na it’s just not worth talking about. It’s happening.

‘We have a fight scheduled April 18, the fighters will fight and I have the whole thing figured out. Not only have I figured that out, I’ve figured out how to put on my international fights too. So every time there’s been an obstacle, we’ve figured out how to get around it while still following the rules.

Khabib pulled out so Ferguson will now take on Gaethje at UFC 249 instead (Picture: Getty)

‘Now, as we get closer to this event, you have forces working against you to make the event not happen. So that’s been happening to us the entire time. This is the hardest thing that I’ve ever done, without a doubt, but it’s going to happen April 18.

‘The support has been great from the fans and the supporters. Nobody is competing in this even that doesn’t want to compete. I’ve been set on this date. I’ve postponed three of my shows and I said I was going to go on April 18.’

MORE: Eddie Hearn criticises Dana White’s plan to stage UFC fights during coronavirus pandemic

MORE: Dana White reveals why location of UFC 249 must remain secret

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