Michael Chandler has doubled-down on his resistance to taking the COVID-19 vaccine. As a result, his showdown with Justin Gaethje at UFC 268 is in jeopardy.
The UFC lightweight contender stated in early August that he wanted to wait until FDA approval of the COVID-19 vaccine before taking it. On Monday, the FDA approved the Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine. Yet, Chandler stated on Monday via social media that he will not take the vaccine.
Chandler’s fight with Gaethje was set for New York City on November 6th as part of the company’s PPV. Due to the rise in the Delta variant infections as well as the ongoing COVID-19 virus, the state of New York has vaccine requirements for indoor activities.
Mike needs just ONE DOSE to fight in New York. I just want @MikeChandlerMMA to be real, and admit he has no intention of ever taking it. FDA Approval or not.
— KevinNoel (@KevinNoel) August 23, 2021
Dana White has stated that he would not require his contracted fighters to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Citing freedom probably.
State governments and municipalities as well as private businesses have made the move to require employees to get vaccinated. UFC will not because.
Payout Perspective:
While some NFL players and coaches have felt bullied to taking the vaccine by strict rules for those that remain unvaccinated, the UFC remains blissfully free of enforcement of a simple task. While we see fighters each day take supplements that likely contain contents that are not listed on the branded label, they freely take them because they believe it will make them better. Yet, a vaccine requires FDA approval from people who are likely anti-government…or even worse, Libertarian. For as much time and money the UFC has spent on getting events to be in New York, it would be on brand that the UFC pull out of the Big Apple due to government restrictions. Something the company lauds it runs to when it talks of the genesis of its company. We shall see if Chandler decides to get the shot or not. By the way, Colby Covington is going to be in the main event of that card against Kamaru Usman.
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