UFC 250 arena in Sao Paulo converted to field hospital as coronavirus spreads in Brazil

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was scheduled to bring its UFC 250 pay-per-view (PPV) event, headlined by the 135-pound title fight between Henry Cejudo (champion) and Jose Aldo (challenger), to the Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sat., May 9, 2020.

The only way that’s going to happen is if both bantamweights are infected with coronavirus and need prompt medical attention. That’s because Ibirapuera Gymnasium was recently converted to a field hospital for the growing number of infected citizens.

The arena will be unavailable for events until Sept. 2020, according to MMA Fighting.

UFC President Dana White is renting a private island to help compensate for the loss of venues, a byproduct of the coronavirus pandemic. Most public spaces, both locally and internationally, have been locked down to help “flatten the curve.”

The still-undisclosed location, currently being referred to as “Fight Island,” is expected to host its first UFC event in mid-May.