ESPN reports that the UFC is finalizing in on a location for UFC 249 April 18th. The article states that the location is on the West Coast of the United States and will be home to multiple events.
The April 18th event anticipates a fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. Khabib Nurmogomedov pulled out of the event due to travel restrictions from the global pandemic.
Without any combat sports going on anywhere, it is unlikely for a state regulator to endorse this event. This would have one believe that the location will be on tribal land which does not adhere to state athletic commissions.
Prior to its postponement, the UFC intended to hold the UFC London event in March on tribal land in Oklahoma. It might seek to rebook the event in Oklahoma. Also, the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California held a Bellator event this past fall. This past January, the Talking Stick Resort in Arizona held an event featuring Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. and Daniel Jacobs.
Payout Perspective:
With under two weeks left prior to this anticipated event, the UFC is planning go through with this event on PPV no less. The logistics for this event have to be the toughest that the UFC has had to deal with considering the travel restrictions and attempts to secure a venue. Not to mention the issues with getting bout agreements. The obvious question is how/if the UFC will have any safety measures in place to ensure that everyone, not just the fighters and their corners, will not put themselves in danger by holding this event. From the security guards to the people cleaning the arena, there must be safeguards if they want to put on this event and not just hand sanitizer for everyone. It’s a risk that the UFC wants, and many diehard fans hope to see.
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