The world continues to reel from the spread of the coronavirus, and as a result, various sports leagues are holding events with no fans or suspending games altogether. Well, earlier on Thursday it was reported that UFC Brasilia is no longer going to have fans attending, and now Bellator President Scott Coker’s confirmed it will be the same for Bellator 241.
UFC Brasilia closed to the public
Recently Combate reported that UFC Brasilia is going to proceed, but that fans will not be allowed to attend. The city’s governor, Ibaneis Rocha, has temporarily banned large gatherings due to the coronavirus outbreak.
That news prompted headliner Kevin Lee to tweet out this:
I’m good with fighting in an empty arena. Let’s not panic too crazy, let us fight, entertain the people stuck at home. #UFCBrasilia
I’m good with fighting in an empty arena. Let’s not panic too crazy, let us fight, entertain the people stuck at home. #UFCBrasilia
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) March 12, 2020
Lee is booked to fight fellow lightweight contender, Charles Oliveira in the main event.
Bellator 241 will also take place behind closed doors
Bellator is scheduled to hold an event tomorrow in Uncasville, Connecticut. More recently, the promotion’s president, Scott Coker, tweeted out the following news:
The health and safety of our athletes, fans and staff are our number one priority and we will continue to monitor all information surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.
Out of an abundance of caution for all parties, #Bellator241 on Friday, March 13 at Mohegan Sun Arena will be closed to the public. Refunds for ticketholders will be available at their original point of purchase.
Out of an abundance of caution for all parties, #Bellator241 on Friday, March 13 at Mohegan Sun Arena will be closed to the public. Refunds for ticketholders will be available at their original point of purchase.
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) March 12, 2020
Bellator 241 is set to feature lightweight and featherweight champ Patricio “Pitbull” battle Pedro Carvalho, in a quarter-final bout for the promotion’s 145 grand prix.
And, these closed-door events could just be the beginning. Recently Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a temporary ban on large gatherings, and the UFC is set to hold an event in Columbus on March 28th. UFC 249 is set to take place on April 18th in Brooklyn, New York, and will feature Khabib Nurmagomedov taking on Tony Ferguson. NY Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has temporarily banned gatherings of more than 500 people, on account of the coronavirus pandemic.
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