UFC announces three comeback cards in Florida after coronavirus … – Reuters

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By Philip O’Connor
2 Min Learn
, (Reuters) – After a number of current cancellations because of the unfold of the coronavirus, the Final Combating Championship (UFC) has introduced its comeback with three combat playing cards within the house of every week on the VyStar Veterans Memorial Enviornment in Jacksonville, Florida.
The primary occasion would be the postponed UFC 249 card which was initially scheduled to happen in Brooklyn, New York, on April 18. The principle occasion will function a much-anticipated interim light-weight title combat between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje, and there may even be a matchup between present holder Henry Cejudo and former champ Dominick Cruz for the bantamweight belt.
“I can’t wait to ship some nice fights for the followers,” UFC President Dana White mentioned in a press release on Friday
UFC 249 can be adopted with two extra playing cards on Might 13 and Might 16, the assertion mentioned, though particulars of these playing cards weren’t launched.
The UFC mentioned the occasions can be closed to the general public and can happen with solely important personnel in attendance.
“Well being and security protocols can be in place to make sure the security and wellbeing of all people who’re serving to to make these occasions doable,” the Florida State Boxing Fee’s govt director, Patrick Cunningham, mentioned in a press release. “With this triple date function of UFC occasions coming in Might, Florida is constant to construct a powerful collaboration with UFC that units the inspiration for extra alternatives that we hope UFC will select to host in our state within the months to come back.”
The combined martial arts organisation has not staged a card since a March 14 occasion in Brazil, and a earlier effort to carry the UFC 249 card was deserted after the organisation got here below stress from Walt Disney Co, house owners of broadcast accomplice ESPN, to postpone the occasion because the COVID-19 pandemic swept world wide.
Reporting by Philip O’Connor in Stockholm; Enhancing by Matthew Lewis
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
All quotes delayed a minimal of quarter-hour. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays.

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