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UFC 249 cancelled due to coronavirus as Dana White says he was told to pull plug


UFC 249 has been cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis after Dana White confirmed he had been told by Disney and ESPN chiefs to pull the plug.

White confirmed on Thursday night that the show would not go ahead due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with all other UFC events postponed indefinitely.

The showpiece was scheduled to take place next Saturday, April 18, with Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje set to headline in their 155lb clash.

UFC president White had controversially reiterated his determination to put the event on, saying the franchise would be “pumping out fights every week” behind closed doors, and that he was in the process of securing a private island on which to stage bouts.

But White revealed on Thursday that he had been contacted by bosses at broadcasters ESPN and Disney and told not to go ahead with the show.

UFC president Dana White had to admit defeat after ‘fighting non-stop’ to stage UFC 249 next weekend

“I’ve told you this whole thing has been a battle since day one,” said White, talking to reporter Brett Okamoto of ESPN.

“We’ve been fighting non-stop all day and all night since this pandemic started, to put on this event on April 18.

“But today we got a call from the highest level you can go at Disney, and the highest level you can go at ESPN, and the powers that be there have asked me to stand down and not do this event next Saturday.”

With all UFC events now postponed, White reassured his fighters and other employees that they would not lose out financially.

He said: “All of my fighters that are under contract with me, I want them to feel safe and to take time with their families and enjoy this time.

“Don’t worry about the financial part. You’re going to get the fights on your contract and I’m going to make things right with the people who were willing to step up and fight next weekend.

“I’m going to take care of as many people as I possibly can and do whatever it takes to make these guys feel comfortable.

Tony Ferguson, pictured (left) fighting Donald Cerrone, had been due to take on Justin Gaethje in the headline bout

“All of my employees, nobody’s getting laid off at the UFC. Everybody’s good. We will be the first sport back.”

ESPN, which is now owned by Disney, penned a multi-million broadcast deal with UFC last May.

But Mail Online claims that deal could be thrown into disarray if the UFC is unable to stage events.

Rose Namajunas had pulled out of her scheduled fight after two family members died from coronavirus

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It emerged on Thursday that former world champion Rose Namajunas had pulled out of her scheduled clash against Jessica Andrade at UFC 249 after two family members tragically died of coronavirus.

American world No2 strawweight Namajunas had been hoping to avenge the Brazilian’s KO win in their first bout.





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