Dana White insists fight island will still happen despite the cancellation of UFC 249.
UFC 249, which was supposed to happen on April 18, has finally been cancelled amid the coronavirus crisis following a decision by top executives at ESPN.
White was asked to "stand down" by ESPN, but he believes fight island will happen even though the promotion pulled the plug on Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje.
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"That's why I'm telling my guys not to worry because fight island is gonna happen," he told Brett Okamoto.
He added: "Fight Island is real! It's a real thing. The infrastructure's being built right now. That's really gonna happen, and it will be on ESPN. That's where we stand right now."
Speaking about UFC 249, White revealed: "This whole thing has been a battle since day one. We've been fighting non-stop, all day and all night since this pandemic started to put on this event on April 18th. Today we got a call from the highest level you can go at Disney and the highest level of ESPN.
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"One thing that I've said since we started our relationship and partnership with ESPN is that it's been an incredible one. It's been an amazing partnership.
"ESPN has been very good to us and the powers that be their asked me to stand down and not do this event next Saturday. One thing that I need to point out is that Tachi Palace in California - the Indian reservation has had our back this whole time, has stood their ground and was willing to do this fight.
"I'm going to take care of as many people as I possibly can and do whatever it takes to make all these guys feel comfortable. All of my employees, nobody is getting laid off at the UFC. Everybody is good. We will be the first sport back. Fight island is real! It's a real thing, the infrastructure is being built right now and that's really going to happen, and it will be on ESPN."
All UFC events are now on hold indefinitely due to the global pandemic.
Topics: Fight Island, UFC News, UFC, UFC 249, Dana White
