With UFC 249 fast approaching, the company has sent out an email to fighters competing on the card detailing some of the measures that will be in place to try to protect fighters, coaches, and staff in light of the ongoing pandemic. The May 9 event, which will take place in Jacksonville, Florida, will be headlined by an interim lightweight bout between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje.
The information in the email was first released by MMA Junkie and details the following rules and regulations for the May 9 event as well as the events scheduled to take place on the 13 and 16 of the month:
- Only participating fighters, cornermen, and event staff will be allowed on-site.
- Fighters and cornermen will be tested each day that they stay at their hotel using a series of medical screenings and tests.
- Teams will be educated on the weigh-in procedure and given credentials that they must wear any time they’re on the hotel premisis.
- Each fighter will have an individual workout room and sauna. They will also be provided with mats and mat sanitizer.
- Hotel staff will provide 24/7 room service and take extra precautions in sanitizing the rooms.
- The UFC Performance Institute will be available to provide athletes with nutritional support.
- Onsite medical staff will be available to treat illnesses and injuries, but not “generic massages and flushes.”
Hopefully, these measures will be enough to protect fighters and staff who are participating in the events. Florida has had 33,690 COVID-19 cases to date, with 1,286 people succumbing to the virus.
UFC 249 will take place in Jacksonville, Florida on May 9.
