UFC to beat virus lockdown with event on tribal land

LOS ANGELES, USA – The Ultimate Fighting Championship is aiming to circumvent coronavirus lockdown restrictions by staging an event on an Indian reservation in California later this month, US media reported on Wednesday, April 8.

The New York Times reported that UFC chief Dana White planned to hold UFC 249 at the Tachi Palace Resort Casino in central California on April 18, sidestepping state guidelines that have brought sports to a standstill.

The casino – which has been closed since March 20 because of the COVID-19 pandemic – is on land belonging to the Tachi-Yokut Tribe.

Indian reservations typically operate independently of the states in which they are located, outside of local government or US federal government control.

By staging the event on tribal land, organizers also evade the requirement to obtain sanctioning from the California State Athletic Commission. 

White has repeatedly voiced determination to continue holding UFC cards, insisting that the circuit can continue safely with events held without spectators.

On Monday, White told ESPN that he had secured a venue for UFC 249 and further events but did not state where. White also said he had secured the use of an “island” to stage figts.

“This place where this fight is going to be on April 18 I have locked up for two months, so I’m going to continue to pump fights out,” White said.

“I’ve got an island. The infrastructure is being built right now. We’re going to do all of our international fights on this island. We’re going to start cranking. The UFC will be back up and running, internationally and here in the states.”

MMA star Khabib Nurmagomedov already said he would not take part in the UFC card, saying he was not prepared to travel amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Lightweight champion Nurmagomedov was due to have headlined the UFC 249 event in a bout against Tony Ferguson.

UFC has already postponed 3 events after officials were unable to find venues to stage fights amid restrictions put in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. – Rappler.com