Dana White Comments on COVID-19 Hitting UFC Vegas 9

For the most part, UFC events haven’t incurred too many changes on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, UFC Vegas 9 incurred multiple changes due to the virus, but Dana White isn’t about to hit the panic  button.

White comments on COVID-19’s hits to UFC Vegas 9

By the time last Saturday’s event was ready to begin, the UFC Vegas 9 card had been reduced to just seven fights. Leading up to the event, or during fight week, several fighters tested positive for the virus.

Well, recently White was asked to comment on the unsettling situation, and the UFC President had this to say (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“Look at the history here,” White told reporters. “Look at what we’ve done and how it’s all worked out.

One of the things that we’re not doing that other sports are doing is there’s people that keep testing positive but they have no symptoms and they’re not contagious.

They’re letting those guys play, whether it’s the NBA or Major League Baseball. We’re not. That’s the difference.”

“We just had a situation last week where they tested negative, negative, then tested positive,” White explained.

“This thing is f*ckin wacky and you do the best you can. We’re doing everything the right way and, who knows with this thing? Nobody has been able to get this thing figured out yet. We’ve been solid.”

“Think about me: I’ve been there, I shake their hands, I do all this other stuff and I haven’t had COVID,” White said. “I will shake people’s hands until the day I die.”

Not surprising

Given White’s previous comments about the pandemic, and what’s transpired since the UFC started holding events again, his statements shouldn’t be a surprise.

While the recent rise in positive tests is unsettling, to date, the promotion hasn’t incurred too many setbacks, as far as scheduling and outbreaks. That said, the main event for UFC Vegas 10 was recently changed, as Glover Teixeira tested positive for the coronavirus and his bout with Thiago Santos was postponed.

Of course, the fact the company isn’t able to have fans attend events isn’t good for its bottom line.