The on-again, off-again saga of a top fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship appears to have come to a conclusion after UFC President Dana White announced the 249th edition of the mixed martial arts series will go ahead on May 9 in Florida.
On Friday, White said he had been given approval to hold the fight at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, but with no live audience. He also detailed plans to host two other fights at the arena during the month of May.
“They want to fight. People are hitting us up and want to fight,” White told ESPN. “We’re putting together three cards in a week. People who want to fight are going to get fights.”
UFC 249, which features a bout between lightweight competitors Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje, has had several changes in venue and fighters. Russian lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov bailed out over worries about the coronavirus, and White’s plan to hold the fight on April 18 in the temporarily closed Tahachi Palace Casino in California was blocked by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“Ferguson vs. Gaethje will be one of the most violent fights you’ll ever see, I can guarantee that,” White added. “They’re two of the best in the world, and the winner will fight Khabib for the title. Khabib will be back in September-October.”
Two other fights, scheduled for May 13 and 16, will also be held at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Florida became the destination for the fighting series after Republican Gov. Rick Desantis announced on April 13 that World Wrestling Entertainment was considered an essential business and would be allowed to hold staged fights.
“As we move step-by-step on the path toward economic recovery, we are proud to host these UFC events,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry wrote in a press release. “The UFC organization is a renowned entertainment brand that’s presented a safe and sensible plan to use this Jacksonville location, and we are thrilled to have our city highlighted nationally on ESPN and ESPN+.”
