Joe says he will not be calling this show due to what the world is going throug . This fight is totally cursed. If one or the other isnt backing out the plague is coming for it.
Its off. Khabib said he was told the fight would be in Abu Dhabi, had permission to go back to Russia and did so. He then said that he was told the fight will be in the USA and he can't get out of Russia. Tony has been offered Gaethje; Poirier has offered to fight Tony. Masvidal has offered to join the card...twitter rumor that Dana is trying to patchwork together Usman vs Masvidal, Tony vs. Gaethje.
They will wind up with something much worse or nothing at all. DFW is nuts for trying so hard to force this.
I listen to sports talk radio on my way to work, and some people are actually trying to romanticize the UFC trying to make the show go on. Using phrases like "They are fighters, fighting to the last breath is what they do." I feel like Frank Mir said it best, "I get no bonus points from refusing to tap and getting my arm broke. Sometimes it is worth it to tap." The UFC is not fighting smart here and refusing to tap. It is gonna look real bad if Ferguson or someone gets this virus after the show.
Some more came out yesterday...Dana said as of right now the plan is to go forward with Khabib and Tony; looking for a work around...I just think its silly to push forward with this fight when their fight camps have been shattered; Khabib has traveled the world, and there is unnecessary pressure on them to perform during a pandemic. I think Dana would gain a lot of respect in coming out and saying that he tried to make the fight work; they're going to hold an event closed to the public but for the entertainment of fans; and that after the event the UFC will foot the bill to have all involved tested for Covid-19. Khabib was told to fly to the UAE; when he got there he was told that he could not enter the country so he flew home to Russia and now he's on lockdown. Woodley said on social media last night that Champ camp continues...speculation is he'll be fighting Usman. According to Usman, Masvidal turned down a fight...