The UFC is just a few short hours away from hosting an event many believed they could not pull off. UFC 249 will emanate from behind closed doors on Saturday night. However, the first virtual media day is in the books, and as expected, has evoked reactions that could encourage the UFC to make these the norm. Essentially Sports too was present at the historic event and found it to be exciting and comfortable at the same time.
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Journalists share views on UFC 249 Virtual Media Day
Photographer Amy Caplan spoke about the safety measures the UFC promised ahead of the event.
UFC employees are wiping down the equipment, seats, etc between scrums, also wearing masks #UFC249
MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin enjoyed the new concept as it felt more like a post-fight press conference. Furthermore, he appreciates the comfort of his own home. This is because everyone had a prime position to listen to and view the fighters.
“Gotta say, I really enjoyed the virtual media day for UFC 249. Much more like a post-fight presser where you raise your hand and ask your question. Plus, I didn’t have to elbow anybody in the middle of a scrum with 60 people all jockeying for position, so that was a bonus.”
Also, John Morgan missed out on the first question. This will no doubt encourage other reporters to push for virtual media days, even when the world returns to normal.
Tech issues got me down for the count. Lol. I’m now the old man who can’t get “12:00” to stop flashing on his VCR, and the younger, tech-savvy kid is stealing my thunder. 🤣🤣🤣
What crazy times we live in. Twelve straight #UFC249 media scrums being conducted from my living room. The ultimate sign of apocalypse? @MMAjunkieJohn’s infamous “first question” landed in my lap 😜 Stay tuned, @MMAjunkie has you covered!
With no end for the pandemic in sight, combined with Dana White’s determination to host events regularly, virtual media days seem set to be the new normal.
This holds especially for Fight Island, which will only feature UFC personnel and fighters.
The UFC is setting the template for sports across the USA and the globe where journalists will attend press conferences from their homes. Do you see this being made permanent and taking away the chaos of a usual press conference?
It may not appeal to some who love the scrum and jockeying for position at a traditional press event. But everything feels alien at the start. UFC 249 Virtual Media Day journalists all across the board will share this sentiment.