UFC president Dana White is taking advantage of the spotlight left for him.
The promotion announced that planned events will proceed, albeit with a few slight changes.
Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 170 event remains in Brazil from the Ginasio Nilson Nelson Gymnasium, but will be contested without fans. Staff-only will be allowed inside as Kevin Lee tangles with Charles Oliveira.
The decision was made due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. The NFL, NBA, MLB and all college sports have called off events and championships, but the UFC remains on course with cards planned for the next several weeks.
A few of those, though, will shift to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, including planned stops in Ohio and Portland.
White, speaking with reports via phone, said he has been in contact with President Donald Trump to work through this ordeal.
“I talked to the president and the vice president about this, and they’re taking this very serious,” White said (thanks to MMA Fighting for the quotes). “They’re saying, ‘Be cautious, be careful, but live your life and stop panicking.’ Everybody is panicking, and instead of panicking, we’re actually getting out there and working with doctors and health officials and the government to figure out how to keep the sport safe and continue to put on events.”
Lightweight: Kevin Lee vs. Charles Oliveira
Welterweight: Demian Maia vs. Gilbert Burns
Lightweight: Renato Moicano vs. Damir Hadžović
Light Heavyweight: Johnny Walker vs. Nikita Krylov
Lightweight: Francisco Trinaldo vs. John Makdessi
Flyweight: Jussier Formiga vs. Brandon Moreno
Strawweight: Randa Markos vs. Amanda Ribas
Welterweight: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Alexey Kunchenko
Bantamweight: Rani Yahya vs. Enrique Barzola
Female Flyweight: Maryna Moroz vs. Mayra Bueno Silva
Flyweight: Gustavo da Silva vs. David Dvořák
Female Bantamweight: Veronica Macedo vs. Bea Malecki
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