MMA

[Onetimeonly]

Now the rumor is Rose Namajunas is out, and Ngannou's bout may be elevated to the co-main event as a result.

I was shocked she was going to go in the first place. Good fighter but not the toughest mentally.

[Ruthless-RKO]

UFC to beat virus lockdown with event on tribal land

LOS ANGELES, USA – The Ultimate Fighting Championship is aiming to circumvent coronavirus lockdown restrictions by staging an event on an Indian reservation in California later this month, US media reported on Wednesday, April 8.

The New York Times reported that UFC chief Dana White planned to hold UFC 249 at the Tachi Palace Resort Casino in central California on April 18, sidestepping state guidelines that have brought sports to a standstill.

The casino – which has been closed since March 20 because of the COVID-19 pandemic – is on land belonging to the Tachi-Yokut Tribe.

Indian reservations typically operate independently of the states in which they are located, outside of local government or US federal government control.

By staging the event on tribal land, organizers also evade the requirement to obtain sanctioning from the California State Athletic Commission.

White has repeatedly voiced determination to continue holding UFC cards, insisting that the circuit can continue safely with events held without spectators.

On Monday, White told ESPN that he had secured a venue for UFC 249 and further events but did not state where. White also said he had secured the use of an "island" to stage figts.

"This place where this fight is going to be on April 18 I have locked up for two months, so I’m going to continue to pump fights out," White said.

"I've got an island. The infrastructure is being built right now. We're going to do all of our international fights on this island. We're going to start cranking. The UFC will be back up and running, internationally and here in the states."

MMA star Khabib Nurmagomedov already said he would not take part in the UFC card, saying he was not prepared to travel amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Lightweight champion Nurmagomedov was due to have headlined the UFC 249 event in a bout against Tony Ferguson.

UFC has already postponed 3 events after officials were unable to find venues to stage fights amid restrictions put in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Ricky]

So Dana doesn't have an island, and was just talking a load of fcking shite as usual?

[Onetimeonly]

So Dana doesn't have an island, and was just talking a load of fcking shite as usual?

That's for international fights.

[Ricky]

UFC 249 is OFF

[Impractical Poster]

That stinks. But I understand.

[Wee Tommy]

So Dana doesn't have an island, and was just talking a load of fcking shite as usual?

Seems like it. Turned out was an Indian res. Bit of a turkey.

[Onetimeonly]

Yeah, I expected it. If it happened I was wondering if Dana was going to get arrested.

[Ricky]

So Dana doesn't have an island, and was just talking a load of fcking shite as usual?

Seems like it. Turned out was an Indian res. Bit of a turkey.

I don't believe a word that comes out Dana White's mouth, the guy just seems like a compulsive liar to me. Part of me thinks it was simply a strategy in order to force ESPN to pull the plug, rather than the UFC, so any unfulfilled TV contract would be on ESPN and not UFC. He's essentially just wasted everyone's time, had 22 athletes go deep into camp & cuts for an event he knew wasn't happening (imo).

Tribal territories & private Islands...

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Wee Tommy]

Seems like it. Turned out was an Indian res. Bit of a turkey.

I don't believe a word that comes out Dana White's mouth, the guy just seems like a compulsive liar to me. Part of me thinks it was simply a strategy in order to force ESPN to pull the plug, rather than the UFC, so any unfulfilled TV contract would be on ESPN and not UFC. He's essentially just wasted everyone's time, had 22 athletes go deep into camp & cuts for an event he knew wasn't happening (imo).

Tribal territories & private Islands...

Makes sense he’d do that tho. He’s a businessmen first and foremost, so likely a calculated liar than a compulsive one.

[Onetimeonly]

I don't believe a word that comes out Dana White's mouth, the guy just seems like a compulsive liar to me. Part of me thinks it was simply a strategy in order to force ESPN to pull the plug, rather than the UFC, so any unfulfilled TV contract would be on ESPN and not UFC. He's essentially just wasted everyone's time, had 22 athletes go deep into camp & cuts for an event he knew wasn't happening (imo).

Tribal territories & private Islands...

Makes sense he’d do that tho. He’s a businessmen first and foremost, so likely a calculated liar than a compulsive one.

It doesn't make sense he'd bust his ass so hard to pin blame on ESPN when every other sport is shut down. Cmon Ricky.

[Wee Tommy]

Makes sense he’d do that tho. He’s a businessmen first and foremost, so likely a calculated liar than a compulsive one.

It doesn't make sense he'd bust his ass so hard to pin blame on ESPN when every other sport is shut down. Cmon Ricky.

He hates White. I quite like him. I can see a lot of angles here and I’d have been looking forward to the fights. Am sure the fighters didn’t mind training in the hope of a payday

[Onetimeonly]

It doesn't make sense he'd bust his ass so hard to pin blame on ESPN when every other sport is shut down. Cmon Ricky.

He hates White. I quite like him. I can see a lot of angles here and I’d have been looking forward to the fights. Am sure the fighters didn’t mind training in the hope of a payday

Yeah, hard to hate him here. You have to work at it.

[Impractical Poster]

Seems like it. Turned out was an Indian res. Bit of a turkey.

I don't believe a word that comes out Dana White's mouth, the guy just seems like a compulsive liar to me. Part of me thinks it was simply a strategy in order to force ESPN to pull the plug, rather than the UFC, so any unfulfilled TV contract would be on ESPN and not UFC. He's essentially just wasted everyone's time, had 22 athletes go deep into camp & cuts for an event he knew wasn't happening (imo).

Tribal territories & private Islands...

Dana does have an island. Everything you're assuming makes no sense. Given Dana's track record there's no reason to think he's lying. We aren't dealing with Bob Arum here. I'm a bit confused at your stance on him.

[Wee Tommy]

I don't believe a word that comes out Dana White's mouth, the guy just seems like a compulsive liar to me. Part of me thinks it was simply a strategy in order to force ESPN to pull the plug, rather than the UFC, so any unfulfilled TV contract would be on ESPN and not UFC. He's essentially just wasted everyone's time, had 22 athletes go deep into camp & cuts for an event he knew wasn't happening (imo).

Tribal territories & private Islands...

Dana does have an island. Everything you're assuming makes no sense. Given Dana's track record there's no reason to think he's lying. We aren't dealing with Bob Arum here. I'm a bit confused at your stance on him.

Where’s the island? Do you have a link?

[Ricky]

It doesn't make sense he'd bust his ass so hard to pin blame on ESPN when every other sport is shut down. Cmon Ricky.

He hates White. I quite like him. I can see a lot of angles here and I’d have been looking forward to the fights. Am sure the fighters didn’t mind training in the hope of a payday

I don't hate him - i just think the man is a born fvcking liar. I remember McGregor smashed up Khabibs bus, Dana said he'd never award that kind of behaviour by making the fight because that's not hiw UFC promote. I've heard of alot of fvcking lies in my time watching boxing but that has to be one of the biggest porkies ever. Not only did they make the fight, but the UFC ran that bus smashing clip practically on loop right up until the ring walks. That's just 1 example of many with regars to his BS.

As for it making business sense, well that seems to be stating the obvious... the English Premier League are making equally outlandish suggestions in order to grab that TV money that's frittering down the drain.... ideas includes quarantined base camps for players to live in away from their families... and the beautiful irony of finishing the season in China.

As much as a i miss sport, none of this shit is happening imo, and it annoys me that they are trying to circumvent the law, where money seems priority over athlete safety. If football returns behind closed doors, that still requires squads, coaches and officials, easily over 100 people. Will that mean I can go play some 5-a-sides with my mates or is a just a different set of rules for the public?

As a fight fan, and well, a sports fan in general, i.do feel somewhat torn - I'm bored out my mind and miss action badly. But I'm not a fan of the idea that I could be harrased by pc plod for visiting my mother while a couple of millionaire sport execs get special treatment. Anyway, that's my 2cents, i know everyone has different views on it

[Onetimeonly]

Dana does have an island. Everything you're assuming makes no sense. Given Dana's track record there's no reason to think he's lying. We aren't dealing with Bob Arum here. I'm a bit confused at your stance on him.

Where’s the island? Do you have a link?

He was almost illegally trying to do these fights. The island was meant for international cards. Why would he make it up? To look cool? This was all just some personal gain?

[Wee Tommy]

He hates White. I quite like him. I can see a lot of angles here and I’d have been looking forward to the fights. Am sure the fighters didn’t mind training in the hope of a payday

I don't hate him - i just think the man is a born fvcking liar. I remember McGregor smashed up Khabibs bus, Dana said he'd never award that kind of behaviour by making the fight because that's not hiw UFC promote. I've heard of alot of fvcking lies in my time watching boxing but that has to be one of the biggest porkies ever. Not only did they make the fight, but the UFC ran that bus smashing clip practically on loop right up until the ring walks. That's just 1 example of many with regars to his BS.

As for it making business sense, well that seems to be stating the obvious... the English Premier League are making equally outlandish suggestions in order to grab that TV money that's frittering down the drain.... ideas includes quarantined base camps for players to live in away from their families... and the beautiful irony of finishing the season in China.

As much as a i miss sport, none of this poo is happening imo, and it annoys me that they are trying to circumvent the law, where money seems priority over athlete safety. If football returns behind closed doors, that still requires squads, coaches and officials, easily over 100 people. Will that mean I can go play some 5-a-sides with my mates or is a just a different set of rules for the public?

As a fight fan, and well, a sports fan in general, i.do feel somewhat torn - I'm bored out my mind and miss action badly. But I'm not a fan of the idea that I could be harrased by pc plod for visiting my mother while a couple of millionaire sport execs get special treatment. Anyway, that's my 2cents, i know everyone has different views on it

Can see your point Ricky

[Impractical Poster]

Fact is that Dana is the best fight promoter in history. That's why boxing is trying to emulate the Ufc's style. Hearn has mentioned on several occasions that he is a Dana White fanboy. Dana has stated he has an island and that they are building the infrastructure as we speak. Why would he lie? What would have to gain by saying it and not following through?

[jujigatame]

Fact is that Dana is the best fight promoter in history. That's why boxing is trying to emulate the Ufc's style. Hearn has mentioned on several occasions that he is a Dana White fanboy. Dana has stated he has an island and that they are building the infrastructure as we speak. Why would he lie? What would have to gain by saying it and not following through?

I mean, DW is a fine promoter but he had a pretty huge advantage of being handed the keys to the MMA kingdom by the Fertittas. Outfits like Top Rank and Golden Boy have to contend with the fact that boxing has been a big worldwide sport for 100+ years with a legacy of splintered titles and difficult co-promotional situations. Haymon has tried to copy the UFC's success with PBC but you can see the UFC model doesn't really work when there are 3 or 4 other promotions of equal or greater size.

Honestly I think the UFC has declined in quality over the last 5 years despite being (effectively) the only game in town, which I think speaks to DW's changing priorities, either due to new management or just complacency and greed.

[Tinnie]

He certainly never said Conor vs Khabib would not get made after the dolly incident. Not sure where that has been plucked from

[Impractical Poster]

Fact is that Dana is the best fight promoter in history. That's why boxing is trying to emulate the Ufc's style. Hearn has mentioned on several occasions that he is a Dana White fanboy. Dana has stated he has an island and that they are building the infrastructure as we speak. Why would he lie? What would have to gain by saying it and not following through?

I mean, DW is a fine promoter but he had a pretty huge advantage of being handed the keys to the MMA kingdom by the Fertittas. Outfits like Top Rank and Golden Boy have to contend with the fact that boxing has been a big worldwide sport for 100+ years with a legacy of splintered titles and difficult co-promotional situations. Haymon has tried to copy the UFC's success with PBC but you can see the UFC model doesn't really work when there are 3 or 4 other promotions of equal or greater size.

Honestly I think the UFC has declined in quality over the last 5 years despite being (effectively) the only game in town, which I think speaks to DW's changing priorities, either due to new management or just complacency and greed.

That's just the thing though. Dana propositioned the Fertitta's with buying the UFC, which was a failing business and turned it into what it is today. There have been numerous MMA organizations that have come and gone or taken over by the UFC. UFC has not been the only game in town. But the UFC reigns supreme. When have you seen another promoter/president as hands on and interactive with the fighters, fans, and media than Dana?

[Impractical Poster]

He certainly never said Conor vs Khabib would not get made after the dolly incident. Not sure where that has been plucked from

He never did say that. I'd also like to hear all the other lies he supposedly has said.