Two UFC Fight Night Shows Relocated To UFC’s APEX Building In Las Vegas Amid Sports Leagues Shutting Down Games Because Of Coronavirus Pandemic
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
The fight shows go on for Las Vegas-based UFC in this new anxious time when a worldwide coronavirus has grounded the Vegas Golden Knights, the March Madness national college basketball tournament, the Las Vegas Lights soccer team, UNLV sports and the NBA.
Two UFC fight nights set for March 28 in Columbus, Ohio and for April 11 in Portland, Oregon have been switched to UFC’s new APEX building, an impressive new venue UFC created last year to house fights and events next-door to UFC’s headquarters off the 215 Beltway in the southwest valley.
The March 28 fight night of headlined Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik, originally scheduled for Nationwide Arena, in Columbus, Ohio, will be relocated at the APEX following the state of Ohio’s ban on gatherings of 100 or more.
Then, the UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris, originally scheduled for April 11 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, will also be relocated to the APEX following the state of Oregon’s ban on large public gatherings of 250 or more.
“We know many of our fans in Ohio and Oregon are disappointed, as are we. Ticket holders may seek a full refund at the point of purchase. We look forward to returning to Columbus and Portland at the earliest opportunity,” UFC wrote in a release on the relocation announcement.
UFC said that both fight night events will move ahead with only essential personnel in attendance and without spectators and fans.
“You know I hate this,” UFC President Dana White said in a UFC video of not allowing fans to watch the fights in person at the APEX. You can see White discuss the matter here.
UFC is also working with Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Executive Director Bob Bennett on a plan to screen the fighters for coronavirus. This is a new novel strain of virus that has spread around the world and is a pandemic, with more than 1,600 infected people in the U.S. National health officials hope to slow down the transmission through social distancing and effective hand washing.
These two events moved to the APEX are scheduled to be broadcast live on ESPN’s platforms in the U.S., and by UFC’s media partners around the world.
In a phone conversation with ESPN aired Thursday evening, White said he spoke with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence about holding the fight nights.
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