UFC announces 2 more events for May
The UFC plans to hold three events in one week.
In addition to the already scheduled UFC 249 card May 9, the promotion announced Friday that additional shows are set for May 13 and May 16. All three events will take place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville and will be closed to the public.
"Our full schedule will be rolling again starting May 9," UFC president Dana White told ESPN's Brett Okamoto on Instagram Live a few minutes before the promotion's announcement. "We'll be back in business."
White did not reveal any fights for the latter two events. All three cards will be sanctioned by the Florida State Boxing Commission, according to executive director Patrick Cunningham.
"Health and safety protocols will be in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all individuals who are helping to make these events possible," Cunningham said, according to ESPN's Ariel Helwani.
"With this triple-date feature of UFC events coming in May, Florida is continuing to build a strong relationship with UFC that sets the foundation for more opportunities that we hope UFC will choose to host in our state in the months to come."
White said there would also be an event May 23, but its location remains unknown. He also said Fight Island will be operational by June, according to Okamoto.
Helwani added that the promotion hopes to hold a June 6 pay-per-view event at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, but those plans have not been finalized. White said Thursday that he submitted a 30-page safety protocol proposal to Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, per MMA Junkie's Nolan King.
UFC 249 was originally slated for April 18, but executives from UFC broadcast partner ESPN and its parent company, Disney, told White to "stand down."
This time, however, it appears ESPN is on board with the UFC continuing operations.
"Sports play an important role in people's lives and can bring moments of escape in challenging times," the company said in a statement, according to Okamoto. "We look forward to bringing UFC to fans again."
UFC 249, the promotion's next scheduled event, will see Tony Ferguson meet Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title. Eleven other bouts have been confirmed for the card.