The UFC has now run a multitude of empty arena events in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, with the latest being UFC Fight Night: Eye vs. Calvillo.
UFC President Dana White says that he has spoken with states that have eased coronavirus restrictions, but nothing is set in stone at this time.
“This whole thing is state-by-state or country-by-country,” White said at the UFC Fight Night: Eye vs. Calvillo post-event news conference (via Nolan King of MMA Junkie). “I know there’s a couple of states right now looking to open up to fans. We’re talking to them.”
Other major sports like the NHL, NBA and MLB are planning on running games without fans at this time, but that could also change based on the ever changing data surrounding the pandemic.
Partially filled arenas seem like an option for the UFC and other sports, but White doesn’t plan on going in that direction.
“I won’t do that,” White said. “I won’t do a 15 percent arena. I’ll just stay here. It makes more sense just to stay here (UFC Apex).”
There are seven events currently on the UFC calendar and all of them are expected to be empty arena shows.
