NY Officially out of 249

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Hong Kong Phooey

Spreading The Coronavirus one Corona at a Time
Feb 12, 2015
4,771
4,736


The highly anticipated showdown between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson officially needs a new home.

On Wednesday, the New York State Athletic Commission shut down any chance UFC 249 could happen at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn as the entire country continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

“Out of an abundance of caution and in line with recent guidance issued by the Center for Disease Control and New York State, the New York State Athletic Commission informed the UFC that UFC 249 cannot be held in NY.,” the commission confirmed in a statement sent to MMA Fighting following an initial report from the New York Times.

The move from the New York Commission wasn’t unexpected but this shuts the door on any chance that the UFC could still hold the upcoming event in Brooklyn as scheduled.

Just days ago after the promotion was forced to cancel their next three shows due to the outbreak of COVID-19 across the United States, UFC president Dana White promised that the fight between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson would move ahead as scheduled — even if that meant securing a location outside the United States.

“This fight’s going to happen,” White said after announcing UFC cards on March 21, March 28 and April 11 would be cancelled..

“No crowd. Whatever it takes. Probably not even going to be in the United States, but this fight’s going to happen.”

For his part, Nurmagomedov said during an Instagram live chat on Tuesday that he was just awaiting word from the UFC on a new location as he continues to prepare to defend his title on April 18.

”We’ll see,” Nurmagomedov stated. “Next couple of days, Dana’s going to send us location.”

It was always a longshot that UFC 249 would still take place in Brooklyn with the city and state of New York shutting down mass gatherings as well as gyms and other high traffic areas in order to slow down the spread of the deadly disease.

As of now, the UFC is still searching for a venue where the event could take place with four weeks to go until showtime.

New York Commission officially nixes UFC 249 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn
 

Hong Kong Phooey

Spreading The Coronavirus one Corona at a Time
Feb 12, 2015
4,771
4,736
Dana White will soon have location for UFC 249

Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov said there should be a location for UFC 249 sooner than later.

Nurmagomedov said he spoke to UFC President Dana White on Monday and was assured the promotion will do everything in its power to preserve his highly anticipated title fight with Tony Ferguson.

”We’ll see,” the champ said on an Instagram chat hosted by his manager Ali Abdelaziz. “Next couple of days, Dana’s going to send us location.”

As of now, the UFC doesn’t have an official host for the April 18 pay-per-view event, which originally was scheduled to take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. White on Monday vowed to make the event happen despite the coronavirus pandemic that’s shut down every major sporting league, though he said it likely won’t be within the U.S.

Nurmagomedov has been training uninterrupted for the event as the pandemic continues to worsen, as MMA Fighting previously reported. On Tuesday, he said he has no preference for where the fight takes place – as long as it happens.

”We need maximum 100 people inside the arena,” he said. “Close the arena, 100 healthy people come inside and make the show. Put the camera on pay-per-view, and everybody can fight. People who are quarantined and (are sitting) home, they’ll have fun and watch fights.

”I think we just need 100 people to make this fight. Put the camera on and show who’s the best lightweight of all time. This is a very important fight, and this is why I like the UFC’s politics. They always try to make the best versus the best.”

White and his team have scrambled to preserve the promotion’s spring schedule. On Monday, he said the UFC was prepared to move forward on Saturday with a Fight Night event – originally scheduled for The O2 in London – on Native American reservation land in Oklahoma. But when the U.S. implemented a new restriction that blocked incoming travelers from the U.K. and Ireland, the card lost more than half its talent. After a recommendation from president Donald Trump nixed gatherings with more than 10 people, the event was canceled.

In addition to scuttling Saturday’s event, the UFC announced the indefinite postponement of two other events originally scheduled for March 28 in Columbus, Ohio, and April 11 in Portland, Ore. But UFC 249 has remained on the calendar.

Nurmagomedov said the preservation of the fight is crucial for the division he reigns.

”This is a very important fight, because the lightweight division has to move,” he said. “Right now, you have a couple guys who have (six, seven-fight) win streaks. A lot of contenders are coming. I don’t want to hold the lightweight division. We have to fight Tony Ferguson and know who’s the next contender. This is very important, not just for me, (but) the UFC lightweight division. That’s why I really want to fight with him.”

 

ejlarson

I like chicken
Jul 4, 2015
1,219
1,370


The highly anticipated showdown between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson officially needs a new home.

On Wednesday, the New York State Athletic Commission shut down any chance UFC 249 could happen at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn as the entire country continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

“Out of an abundance of caution and in line with recent guidance issued by the Center for Disease Control and New York State, the New York State Athletic Commission informed the UFC that UFC 249 cannot be held in NY.,” the commission confirmed in a statement sent to MMA Fighting following an initial report from the New York Times.

The move from the New York Commission wasn’t unexpected but this shuts the door on any chance that the UFC could still hold the upcoming event in Brooklyn as scheduled.

Just days ago after the promotion was forced to cancel their next three shows due to the outbreak of COVID-19 across the United States, UFC president Dana White promised that the fight between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson would move ahead as scheduled — even if that meant securing a location outside the United States.

“This fight’s going to happen,” White said after announcing UFC cards on March 21, March 28 and April 11 would be cancelled..

“No crowd. Whatever it takes. Probably not even going to be in the United States, but this fight’s going to happen.”

For his part, Nurmagomedov said during an Instagram live chat on Tuesday that he was just awaiting word from the UFC on a new location as he continues to prepare to defend his title on April 18.

”We’ll see,” Nurmagomedov stated. “Next couple of days, Dana’s going to send us location.”

It was always a longshot that UFC 249 would still take place in Brooklyn with the city and state of New York shutting down mass gatherings as well as gyms and other high traffic areas in order to slow down the spread of the deadly disease.

As of now, the UFC is still searching for a venue where the event could take place with four weeks to go until showtime.

New York Commission officially nixes UFC 249 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn
Pssst. This fight isn't happening. At least not this year.
 

Mace

Prophet of poon
Oct 29, 2015
321
463
These two both talk a lot of shit while fighting and the mutual disdain has moved deep into the personal realm. It would be amazing to watch this fight with no crowd noise drowning them out.