As the UFC gears up for its first PPV event of the year, Islam Makhachev is set to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan in what promises to be an exciting showdown. The event is scheduled to take place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, a location currently surrounded by areas severely affected by wildfires.

With the chaos unfolding in the region, many are questioning if the event will proceed as planned. Despite the growing concerns, the UFC CEO remains optimistic, asserting that the event will move forward as scheduled. With the stakes high, UFC 311 is also looking to break a new record, making it all the more important for the event to take place as planned.

UFC 311 is turning out to be a special event for the promotion as 2025 begins

The UFC is gearing up for a historic moment at UFC 311, where the organization will celebrate a monumental milestone—the 8,000th bout in its history. This milestone, shared by MMA enthusiast Jed I. Goodman on his X account, has added even more excitement to the already highly anticipated event. Goodman tweeted, “#UFC311 will include the 8000th UFC bout. (Does not include fights on DWCS, Road to UFC events, or exhibition bouts on TUF).”

UFC 311, set to feature an exciting title defense by Islam Makhachev against Arman Tsarukyan, is poised to not only deliver thrilling action but also etch its place in UFC history. However, the excitement surrounding the event is tempered by the ongoing crisis in California. The state is grappling with widespread wildfires, with five areas in Los Angeles bearing the brunt of the disaster. As authorities manage evacuations and work to ensure public safety, there’s growing concern about the event’s potential impact.

For the UFC, there are concerns over two specific wildfire hotspots: the Sunset fire near Runyon Canyon Park and the Palisades fire near Skull Rock viewpoint. These fires are located about 25-35 km from the UFC 311 venue in Inglewood, a situation that fans on social media have been highlighting. The big question lies in what happens if the event has to be taken to a completely new place. It seems the UFC head honcho is all prepared to tackle any sort of problem.

Dana White reveals his ‘Plan B’ for UFC 311

When natural disasters pose a threat to a major event, what does the CEO of one of the world’s biggest fight promotions do? Dana White has already shown he knows how to handle such challenges. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, when much of the world was halted, White steered the UFC through the crisis, achieving remarkable success. As 2025 begins with devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles and UFC 311 approaching, Dana White faces yet another hurdle.

However, history has proven that adaptability and determination are key traits of UFC’s leadership, and White is known for navigating such challenges with resilience. Despite the fires being close by, White remains calm and confident. The UFC CEO has assured fans that a backup plan is already in place.

If the situation worsens, the UFC is ready to move the event to a different location. While speaking with popular streamer Adin Ross the 55-year-old shared the details. He said, “Well if the fire gets bad, we are coming to Vegas… Yeah, we’ll move it to Vegas. If it gets too bad. But as of now? It’s all go. The NBA is gonna go this week. We are gonna go.”

Against the backdrop of the destructive wildfires in Los Angeles, UFC 311 has become a major focal point for the sport, drawing increased attention and concern. Will the event take place and be able to complete the record it’s chasing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.