With the ongoing wildfires in California, UFC 311 may be in trouble. At the moment, the promotion’s first PPV card of 2025 is set for January 18 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. But since ‘The Golden State’ is still dealing with the catastrophic fires, MMA journalist extraordinaire Ariel Helwani has revealed that Dana White and co. may move the event, perhaps to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on the same date.

According to a tweet by Helwani, the UFC is hoping that things will be in control by next week, but they are closely monitoring the situation and will make a decision soon about whether or not to move the card. But at the moment, Helwani feels that the event is on for the Intuit Dome in California as originally planned.

“UFC has had talks about the status of UFC 311 next weekend, I’m told. UFC 311 is currently slated for the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. Obviously, that region is facing a devastating wildfire crisis at the moment…As of right now, 311 is staying at Intuit. The hope is it remains there. But they are monitoring and ready to move the card if need be. No talks of delaying the card. Obviously, that call needs to happen soon. The event is eight days away. Vegas would be the frontrunner. Worth noting: T-Mobile Arena is not booked next Saturday, Jan. 18,” the journo tweeted.

Of course, as Helwani pointed out, there is not much time between now and January 18. If the UFC wants to move the event, especially to another state, the window for making that call is closing rapidly. After all, the logistics involved in shifting the event would take at least a couple of days. Not to mention the fans who have bought tickets to the live event would also have to be dealt with.

Assuming the event moves out of the Intuit Dome, Dana White and Co. will most probably offer to refund the money of any fans who want their money back or give them a choice to attend the event wherever the UFC moves it (if it is moved at all). But if the event is moved, it would be an absolute shame for Californians.

Barn burner UFC 311 was set to be UFC’s long-awaited return to Inglewood

In good news for fans, Helwani believes that the promotion isn’t looking to postpone (or god forbid, cancel) UFC 311. After all, the card, especially the main and co-main events are the best quality fights the entire sport has to offer. Moreover, they are capable of setting fire to the arena (figuratively, of course). After all, Islam Makhachev is set to take on his toughest challenge since becoming champion- Arman Tsarukyan atop the card.

In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili will defend his 135lbs title against undefeated Dagestani powerhouse, Umar Nurmagomedov in what promises to be an absolute barn burner. In fact, the whole main card is pretty great. Former light heavyweight champions Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill will undoubtedly go to war in a long-awaited clash, while Renato Moicano tries to reach the next level in the lightweight division against the veteran, Beneil Dariush.

Not to mention the fact that UFC 311 was supposed to be the promotion’s first event in Inglewood since 2018. Losing the card to another venue would be a tragedy for the local fans there. But as of now, there is no need to panic since it is expected that the wildfires will be brought under control by next week. And Californians desperately need some entertainment after the tragedy they have gone through. What do you think about Ariel Helwani’s revelations about the fate of UFC 311?