Dana White Says UFC Will be “up And Running”, Plans to Hold Weekly Cards Includes Fights on Private Island

Following Monday’s announcement that UFC 249 is going to take place on April 18th, at a location to be announced, Dana White shared out some eyebrow-raising details regarding the UFC’s plans.

White says “private island” could host upcoming fights

White has repeatedly insisted in recent weeks that the UFC would find a way to keep holding events, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and despite widespread concerns about the health and safety impacts of doing so. 

Well, after the UFC announced yesterday that Tony Ferguson is going to battle Justin Gaethje for an interim lightweight title at UFC 249, White spoke with TMZ. While discussing how the UFC plans to go about hosting that event, and others, the UFC President said this (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“I locked this venue (that will host UFC 249) for two months. I have this venue for two months, and we’re setting up shop here. We’re going to be pumping out fights every week. I’m also a day or two away from securing a private island.

I have a private island that I’ve secured. We’re getting the infrastructure put in now, so I’m going to start doing the international fights, too, with the international fighters.

“I’m not going to be able to get the international fighters, all of them into the U.S., so I have a private island. I’m going to start flying them all into the private island and start doing international fights from there.

So as of April 18, the UFC is back up and running. … We have all our own planes and everything we’re going to fly into the island with the fighters.”

So, we’ll see what happens. As far as the location on the U.S. mainland, there’s speculation that the venue could be located on Native American territory. But the private island? No one saw that coming.

And what about health and safety?

White was also asked about the steps the UFC is taking to ensure fighters, staff  etc. are kept safe and healthy. 

“Everyone is going to be tested and tested and tested,” White said. “We’re going to make sure healthy athletes, healthy athletic commission people, healthy judges, referees, my production people, and everyone there is going to be healthy.

We’re going to make sure everybody is going to be safe before, during and after the fights.

It remains to be seen, however, how the UFC plans to deal with any medical issues that might arise with fighters, as a result of the fights. Especially if a fighter who competes on the island requires medical attention.

Hopefully all goes well, and everyone involved in UFC 249 and the upcoming events stays healthy.