UFC: Dana White says London event ‘obviously can’t continue’ after coronavirus causes new travel restrictions
- UFC president Dana White says organisers are ‘looking at new locations’ after London, New York and Las Vegas off limits
- White insists Woodley vs Edwards and Khabib vs Ferguson ‘will happen’ as fans fear more cancellations
Dana White says coronavirus-induced travel restrictions mean the UFC’s upcoming London card “obviously can’t continue” as organisers search for new venues.
UFC Fight Night 171 – headlined by Tyron Woodley vs Leon Edwards – was originally scheduled at London’s O2 Arena on March 22. White had previously said he was working “closely with the government” and the event was “moving forward”.
“Obviously things are changing by the hour, this morning it had been announced there were new travel restrictions for the UK so the fight obviously can’t continue in London, but the fight will go on,” White said on ESPN Sports Center following a closed door UFC Fight Night Brasilia event on Sunday.
“We’re working on finding a new venue – likely in the United States – and I have my matchmakers really working right now to put together the undercard. The bottom line is that fight is happening and that main event will go on.”
President White also revealed that the subsequent event scheduled on April 11 – originally set in New York but moved to Las Vegas – is also in jeopardy and a venue is to be confirmed.