UFC 249 was originally set to take place at New York’s Brooklyn Center. Unfortunately, the Coronavirus pandemic played spoilsport and left the event without a venue. However, UFC President Dana White remained bullish and maintained he always does what he says he will do. He has seemingly succeeded in his bid to “get some normalcy back in the country.” He revealed that UFC 249 is going ahead as per schedule. However, its location remains a mystery.
UFC 249 venue revealed?
Independent MMA reporter Jeff Sherwood tweeted the mega-event will take place at the Tachi Palace Casino Resort. It is on tribal land near Fresno, California. Has the secrecy surrounding the venue finally ended?
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Next 4 UFC’s at the @TPFmma @Tachipalace #iToldYouFirst @ufc @danawhite #UFC249
— Sherdog (@TheSherdoggy) April 6, 2020
It seems likely, as White told ESPN he has locked up a place for 2 months and continue to pump fights out. Further, a New York Times report on March 20 said the Tachi Casino Resort suspended all gaming operations effective Friday, March 20, 2020. He would have had enough time to set up everything to conduct fights.
The UFC President is remaining mum on the debate. He has been at loggerheads with the media ever since the coronavirus scare canceled fight nights in London, Portland, and Columbus. They questioned him over holding an event during a pandemic. Media doubts regarding the event annoyed him, and he even fired verbal shots at them.
“This Keeps the Creeps at Bay”- Dana White Opens Up About the Secret Location For UFC 249
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White reveals he is keeping the venue a secret as he doesn’t want the media poking around and endangering the safety. He told Brett Okamoto, “it’s not open to the fans. So, it’s on ESPN that’s all anybody needs to know.”
UFC 249 main event will see Tony Ferguson fight Justin Gaethje for the Interim Lightweight Title. The bout was made on short notice after Ferguson’s original opponent Khabib Nurmagomedov pulled out of the event.
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UFC 249 Fight Card Official- Impressive List of Fighters Announced
Speculation is intense, with some suggesting White had secured a private island off the West coast. The only certain thing is that the event will be somewhere in the United States. What are your opinions about the venue for UFC 249?