Dana White is getting creative to help the UFC continue business.
The UFC boss joined TMZ Sports to talk about the company’s upcoming plans to stage fights. White announced on Monday that Justin Gaithje would face Tony Ferguson in the main event of UFC 249 on April 18 at an undisclosed location. Gaithje is filling in for Khabib Nurmagomedov, who returned to his home country of Russia during the coronavirus pandemic.
White said in his interview that he is setting up shop at a venue he has secured for two months. After the fights are hosted at the undisclosed venue, UFC events could begin taking place at an island.
“I have a private island that I’ve secured,” White said. “We’re putting in the infrastructure now. So I’m going to start doing the international fights soon.”
White pointed out that having fights on an island would allow for international fighters to compete because there are currently travel restrictions into the U.S. He also made sure to say there would be plenty of testing for anyone who goes to the venue, and also said there would not be any fans.
“As of April 18, the UFC is back up and running.”
If you’re wondering why the UFC has been pushing so hard to host events during the pandemic, look no further than their financial situation to explain things. The UFC was bought by WME/IMG in 2016 for $4 billion. Their parent company is in serious debt, which has put pressure on the UFC to bring in much-needed revenue.
