Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White will stop at nothing to host events during the widespread COVID-19 pandemic. As other major sports organizations close up shop and await for worldwide travel and social restrictions to be lifted, White and company have continued to push forward for a life of normalcy.
Despite locking down UFC’s next three events in the state of Florida, White is still pushing forward with his proposed idea of a “Fight Island,” which sounds like something out of a Bruce Lee movie. White already stated earlier this month that he plans on shipping fighters to the island as soon as possible, but it now seems as if June is the likely target date.
White recently joined ESPN’s Brett Okamoto via IG Live to discuss his “Fight Island” plans. During their conversation, White revealed that the “Fight Island” infrastructure is being built “as we speak.” White also stated that the Octagon will be built on the beach and hotels will be available for fighters.
Per Dana White, Fight Island will be operational by June. Octagon on the beach. Hotels for fighters to stay at while they are there. Once things go back to normal, Fight Island will likely get retired, but it’s a real piece of the promotions plans.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 24, 2020
In addition, White confirmed that the public will not be allowed to attend “Fight Island,” meaning it will be closed off like all of the promotion’s other planned events. The UFC president revealed that he is in no hurry to let fans back into events until it is safe to do so. This includes “Fight Island.”
White tells @bokamotoESPN that Fight Island events will not be open to the public.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) April 24, 2020
White says that he is not in a hurry to get fans back into the arena and wants to wait until things normalize before that is considered.
While fight fans around the world are happy just to see UFC getting back to business with some events next month, the idea of a “Fight Island” has created quite the buzz around the combat community. Most fighters would jump at the opportunity to travel to a remote island and compete at the highest level in MMA. Just ask this UFC champion.
At the end of the day, “Fight Island” is a great idea for UFC to combat current COVID-19 restrictions and give the promotion an extra location to host fights. And while White has no plans to keep the island around after things normalize that could change depending on the success it has over the next couple of months.
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