REPORT: UFC 249 Card, Location To Be Announced Soon

With only a few weeks until UFC 249, there are still a number of questions that need to be asked. Two important ones: what is the main event and where will it take place? It appears we will have our answer soon.

According to ESPN, it is expected a new venue along the United States’ West Coast will become the home of UFC 249 on April 18. One of the premier locations is a tribal land, which doesn’t follow by the rules of regular state athletic commissions. Bellator has utilized that same method when it comes to the Mohegan Sun Casino. As far as the full card for the event, UFC President Dana White has stated it will be announced today, April 6.

It has been a long journey to find a location for the event due to the coronavirus pandemic. UFC 249 was set for inside Brooklyn’s Barclays Center at one point. The Nevada, New York and California Athletic Commissions have all barred combat sports from taking place, while several other states have ensured that fights were not going to happen. Regarding Nevada, that includes the UFC’s APEX Center. Florida appeared to be the premier spot until Governor DeSantis issued a stay-at-home order.

The UFC has had to cancel three events as a result of the virus. It was expected they would have to do the same to UFC 249, but Dana was adamant this event would continue. The event will still try and go on, even without the original main event. UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov stayed in Russia to quarantine, taking him out of his bout against Tony Ferguson. He had to defend himself following doubts of his character, stating part of the reason for staying in Russia was the lack of location for the event.

In a very interesting twist, Dana tweeted out he would release information after responding to a fake Ariel Helwani account. The account stated that Khabib would be traveling from Russia for the fight.

ESPN is also reporting that several events could take place in the same arena as UFC 249 if all goes well. While it is unknown who will be competing at UFC 249, a rumored main event is Ferguson v. Justin Gaethje. It is unsure if it is for the interim or undisputed Lightweight Championship, per Ferguson’s request.