D.White at a UFC press conference. Photo: Reproduction/Youtube ufc
O UFC 249 is officially postponed! Through a pronunciation live via social media, UFC president Dana White revealed the bombshell news. The event, which would take place on the 18th, on an indigenous reservation in the USA, has been postponed indefinitely.
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the cancellation of UFC 249 comes three days after the show announced the full 12-fight card and booked the Tachi Palace Resort and Casino, located on an Indian reservation in California. White revealed that the cancellation was a request from Disney/ESPN, which owns UFC broadcasting rights in the USA.
“This whole situation has been a battle since day 1. We have been fighting non-stop, day and night, since this pandemic started to put this event on April 18th,” said Dana. “Today we received a call from the top brass at Disney and ESPN…ESPN has been very, very good to us, and the powers that be have asked me to back out and not do this event next Saturday,” added the executive.
Besides the UFC 249, all subsequent events are postponed and Ultimate still does not have a return date
Manager guarantees payment to athletes
Despite the cancellation of the franchise's next events, the director stated that he will honor the salaries of the athletes scheduled for the next attractions.
“All of my fighters that are under contract with me, I want them to feel safe, spend time with their families and enjoy this time. Don't worry about the financial part of this. They will receive the fights in their contract and I will arrange everything with the people who were willing to fight on April 18th. (…) No one will be fired in the UFC. We will be the first sport to return”, he concluded. Dana White
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