Dana White's Plans to Secure A Private Island For UFC Fights Is Only Days Away

By Neil P. First Posted: Apr 07, 2020 08:31 AM EDT

(Photo: Reuters)

UFC President Dana White revealed that he is close to secure a private island for future UFC fights amid COVID-19, according to a recently published article.

SECURING A PRIVATE ISLAND

UFC fights in a private island is possible after UFC President Dana White announced that he is "a day or two" from closing a deal to secure an island where he can hold the fights amid COVID-19, according to his recent interview with a celebrity news outlet.

During the interview, he said: "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."

IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL

After confirming that it's business as usual for UFC, Justin Gaethje steps in to replace Khabib Nurmagomedov against Tony Ferguson because Khabib cannot leave Russia due to travel restrictions. White said that the company is back up and will hold its fight on April 18, according to a recently published article.

White also added: "So I'm gonna start doing international fights with international fighters, too, because I won't be able to get them into the US. So I have a private island, I'm gonna start flying them all in."

However, when asked about the specifics of UFC 249 and stateside events beyond, he refused to give many details but said that the location of UFC 249 is ESPN.

Moreover, there is also an overarching concern about the resumption of UFC fights amid COVID-19. As you may remember, the UFC postponed three international events that were to take place in Columbus, London, and Portland.

FIGHTERS AND PERSONNEL WILL BE TESTED BEFORE ENTERING THE ISLAND

Meanwhile, White clarified that if the fight is on the private island, there will be no fans. He also added that strict precautionary measures would be implemented before fighters and essential personnel enters the island.

White said: "Everyone is going to be tested and tested and tested. 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."

Initially, the UFC 249 will be headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson for the lightweight title. Since Khabib cannot leave Russia, Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje for the interim 155-pound belt headlines the makeshift card.

Following this, Nurmagomedov received backlash for the fifth cancellation of his bout against Ferguson. However, White said that it is not the fault of Nurmagomedov because the situation is not under his control. It was just an unfortunate occurrence that he needs to deal with.

White said: "It is not Khabib's fault. It's not anybody's fault. This is not something you can prepare for, plan for, or anybody can dream this is possible. Las Vegas is shut down. No casinos are open for a month or maybe more. I never thought I would see that in my lifetime."