The owner of the biggest mixed martial arts fighting association is sparring with the New York Times over allegations that his organization’s coronavirus guidelines were too lax during a recent prize fight in Florida.
Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White attacked New York Times reporter Kevin Draper and the paper at-large for printing an article that was critical of his organization’s failure to meet certain social distancing measures during last weekend’s mega-bout between lightweight fighters Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje in Jacksonville, Florida.
“F— that guy,” White said. “What do you think happened when this guy who, and this paper, covered the UFC when they’ve never covered it before? What do you think happened? The f—ing story was huge. They did killer traffic. Now, they’re writing stories three a week, and they’re posting live results. I don’t give a shit what that guy thinks, what he has to say, or what he writes. Good for him, he’s pulling good traffic. I don’t give a f—. Don’t give a f—.”
The New York Times obtained a copy of UFC’s “Jacksonville Event Operations Plan” to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and the paper pointed out several instances in which the organization ran afoul of rules they had drafted to protect themselves and the fighters.
The article noted that White, UFC commentator Joe Rogan, and other people sitting ringside were not wearing masks and that Rogan, specifically, had entered the Octagon to perform interviews when the Operations Plan had strictly forbidden the practice. Rogan and champion Gaethje exchanged a bloody handshake in the aftermath of his victory over Ferguson.
White has struggled with regulators and the UFC’s television partner Disney, which owns ESPN, to find a suitable venue for UFC 249 and other upcoming fights. He had originally planned to hold the April 18 bout at the Tachi Palace Casino Resort before it was scrapped at the last second.
In April, White claimed the UFC is preparing to host international bouts at a private island as some states continue to extend coronavirus restrictions on businesses and movement.
