Miami (AFP)
After several unsuccessful attempts to organize fights in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic, the UFC, the largest professional mixed martial arts league, announced that it would hold a closed party on May 9 in Florida, which sport an "essential service".
UFC 249 will be held in the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, with twelve bouts including the one for the lightweight title between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje.
"I look forward to the big fights for the fans and the fighters are thrilled to be back in the arena," said UFC boss Dana White, assuring that "they and the staff will have to comply with a series of precautionary measures ", namely" undergo advanced medical examinations, temperature checks and comply with social distancing guidelines ".
Two other evenings will take place in the same place on May 13 and 16, again behind closed doors, with only the presence of production staff.
"As we step by step on the road to economic recovery, we are proud to host these UFC events," said Jacksonville mayor Lenny Curry, who said the project was "safe and sensible" .
After having sketched out the idea of a private island, then failed, under pressure, to organize a fight on an Indian reserve where he would have bypassed the restrictive directives imposed by the State of California, Dana White therefore opened the door through Florida.
Two weeks ago, Governor Ron DeSantis granted professional sport the status of "essential service" to his state during the coronavirus pandemic, in the same way as hospitals, firefighters and even grocers.
Are concerned "all the employees of a professional sport and a production of national audience, including athletes, participants, production teams, management teams, media and other personnel essential to the holding of such events, and this only if the place where they take place is closed to the general public. "
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the main organizer of wrestling fights broadcast live in the country, resumed its activities in stride in Orlando.
© 2020 AFP