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Dana White Finally Has A Venue For UFC 249

Dana White Finally Has A Venue For UFC 249

The UFC president has found a loophole of sorts that allows him to take the event to California, despite the state stopping combat sports.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

UFC 249, and potentially several other events, will take place at Tachi Palace Resort Casino in California, despite the state stopping all combat sports during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Dana White has been desperately trying to find a venue for UFC 249 for weeks and has refused to cancel the event, despite the fact that it will have to take place behind closed doors.

On Tuesday White spoke about finding a private island somewhere to put on the show on April 18th, and subsequent others, but it will actually take place in California, according to the New York Times.

Despite California suspending combat sport the Tachi Fight Palace is on an Indian reservation belonging to the Tachi-Yokut Tribe and is part of the 'federally-recognized' Santa Rosa Indian Community.

That means the resort has its own commission and doesn't have to come in line with the laws set out by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).

The resort did close its doors on March 20th during the current measures to stop the spread of the virus but will open them up on April 18th for the event, now being headlined by Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje.

Originally UFC 249 was meant to take place in New York, with Ferguson facing Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC lightweight title, but the New York State Athletic Commission wouldn't let the event go ahead, due to the restriction of mass gatherings.

UFC have already cancelled three events in the current climate and it now looks like the Tachi Palace Casino Resort will host those three cards as well, with White saying on Monday night that he would be catching up on the 'lost' cards.

On Monday White also claimed that he was securing a private island to host fights for international fighters who couldn't currently fly into the US.

Pretty much no major sporting events have been taking place worldwide in recent weeks though WWE to host WrestleMania over the weekend.

The company's biggest show of the year took place behind closed doors, in their own Performance Centre gym, over two nights and was pre-recorded, making it completely different to any of the previous 35 'Manias.'

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Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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