UFC fighters caught training, get booted from gym by state police

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight Jared Gordon is trying to prepare for his upcoming showdown against 145-pound veteran Matt Sayles at the upcoming UFC on ESPN+ event on May 9 in San Diego, California.

That’s been a difficult hill to climb after the coronavirus pandemic shut down most of the country, which means public facilities — like mixed martial arts (MMA) gyms — are off limits until the risk of exposure becomes a non-factor.

Those who choose to disobey those orders are subject to arrest.

“I showed up there this morning to do some pads this morning and state troopers came in, like three straight troopers from Fort Lauderdale,” Gordon told MMA Fighting. “They looked like state troopers, they were on motorcycles and stuff, and they told us we have to leave. They were like, ‘This is a national emergency, you’re absolutely subject to arrest.’ But they were nice about it. They forced us out and the building is also shared with an NFL combine training center and the NFL guy was like, ‘We don’t get shut down unless the NFL says that we’re shut down.’ And the cops are like, ‘No, you have to leave now.’ So they left also.”

Maybe they can go train in “Jacare’s” garage.

UFC was forced to postpone its next three events; however, the schedule has not changed for the rest of the calendar year, starting with UFC 249 on April 18. That said, the promotion may need to find new locations if the country remains on lockdown.

As of this writing, coronavirus has infected 271,141 and left 11,277 dead. The state of California recently moved to a shelter-in-place and other states are expected to follow. Simply put, it’s hard to imagine having this thing wrapped up in time for UFC San Diego.