As soon as the pandemic set in, White promised to find a way to conduct fights. The challenges he faced included conducting fights involving fighters from outside the USA. And thence came the idea of procuring an island exclusively for the UFC and its events.

Dana White Fight Island

The idea originated in the manner of fables. However, the UFC Fight Island is as real as it can get, and fights start next weekend with UFC 251.

Now, a robust new breeze of possibilities hit the fans. As per Kevin Iole from Yahoo! Sports,  Lawrence Epstein, the COO of the UFC, stated that there might be a possibility of VIP fans to be in attendance at the events.

While nothing stands confirmed, Epstein clarified that if the UFC does go ahead with the VIP program, it will not bring in more than two dozen people.

 

UFC Fight Island- How it’s gonna work

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to blare on, the UFC will carry on taking any necessary steps towards ensuring the safety of all those involved in these events. Thus, right from the beginning to the end, all members will comply with strict rules for safety.

The participants will fly into Abu Dhabi on planes from major hubs. These are London, Moscow, Sao Paulo, and Las Vegas.

UFC

Those who fail to get onto these chartered planes will fly commercial.

However, the participants will arrive at the site of flying the night before, where a test for coronavirus will await them.

 

After the test, they will self-quarantine in hotels until the results arrive, post which they will get on-board the plane if their results come out negative.

This is the stage at which Gilbert Burns met ill fate. The Welterweight title contender had scrap the boarding after he tested positive for coronavirus along with two of his cornermen. Kamaru Usman, too, did not board the flight as he does not have any opponent with just one week to go for the event.

Gilbert Burns

As soon as the fighters reach the island, they will face quarantine again after another coronavirus test. Until the tests come back, everyone will remain under isolation. Moreover, if someone tests positive, then they will quarantine in a separate and secure facility.

The Octagon, most importantly, will be the regular 30-foot sized good old cage, per Lawrence Epstein. Thus, with all safety measures in place and a demarcated ‘safe zone’, the UFC is all set to bring Fight Island to life.

Which fight are you most excited about?