Dana White plans to host UFC 249 on private island during coronavirus lockdown

UFC president has faced criticism for staging events
Tony Ferguson due to headline event on 18 April

The UFC president Dana White, who has faced criticism for pushing forward with events during the Covid-19 epidemic, says he plans to host fights on a private island.

While all but a few sports leagues around the world have shut down during the pandemic, White has insisted he wants UFC 249, scheduled for 18 April, to go ahead. The event was supposed to be headlined by undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov against Tony Ferguson. However, Nurmagomedov said he would not leave quarantine in Russia to fight, possibly due to the fact that he may have trouble entering the US during the Covid-19 lockdown. Ferguson will now face Justin Gaethje, although White said a private island could help fighters having trouble entering the US.