All the fighters had weighed in and were making final preparations for Bellator 241.
That’s when the promotion decided to follow the rest of the sporting world and cancel the card.
Bellator president Scott Coker made the decision official just hours before it was set to go down from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Initially, they had planned to hold the card without fans in attendance, airing it live on DAZN.
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire was to defend his title against Pedro Carvalho in the main event as part of the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix, with Daniel Weichel meeting Emmanuel Sanchez in the co-main event.
“The health and safety of everyone involved have, and will remain, our top priority as we move forward. After carefully monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, Bellator MMA has chosen to postpone this evening’s Bellator 241 event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
“We would like to apologize to our athletes and fans, as well as our broadcast partner DAZN, but we feel this is the best decision to be made at this time.”
We would like to apologize to our athletes and fans, as well as our broadcast partner DAZN, but we feel this is the best decision to be made at this time.
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) March 13, 2020
Coker later added that all fighters would be paid, along with judges, officials, cutmen and other event staff.
“All athletes that were scheduled to compete at Bellator 241, as well as officials, judges, cutmen and additional event personnel, have been compensated,” he wrote. “Next to everyone’s health and safety, this was our biggest priority.”
All athletes that were scheduled to compete at #Bellator241, as well as officials, judges, cutmen and additional event personnel, have been compensated. Next to everyone’s health and safety, this was our biggest priority.
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) March 13, 2020