UFC Sends Fight Week Safety Protocol Blueprint To Athletes
One of the top concerns over the past few weeks has been the health and safety of MMA fighters competing on upcoming UFC cards due to the coronavirus. Some answers to several questions have been revealed.
Dana White has secured the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida to host UFC 249 and several other events. While he has previously not given much information away regarding how everyone will be safe, he has been adamant something will be done. Now, an email has been sent out to the athletes competing on the May 9 card, as well as the events on May 13th and 16th.
Via MMA Junkie, only booked fighters and their camps will be allowed in the arena, as well as UFC staff members. The host hotel will not be allowing training partners and managers inside it, only the fighters. Additionally, the hotel will be providing mandatory medical screenings that will be repeated multiple times.
The specific test administered and how it will be given was not discussed. As of now, the athletes may be told when they get to the hotel.
The hotel will also be booked to have individual workout rooms. This is limited to just the fighter and the corners of the athlete. Each room will have safety equipment: workout mats and sanitizer for said mats, as well as a personal sauna to cut weight. Speaking of weight cutting, the nutrition team from the UFC Performance Institute will be on hand to provide consultations, post-weight cut rehydration, and pre-fight fueling. Food will be delivered to hotel rooms.
Medical staff will be present at the hotel in case of injury or illness but will be limited to specific demands.
The UFC is considered an “essential business” in the state of Florida, just like WWE. As a result, they are now regulated by the Florida State Boxing Commission. It appears the UFC will be going above and beyond what the commission had in mind, but with the unknown surrounding the coronavirus, the company is looking to take whatever steps needed to keep the show going.
Do you feel confident in the UFC’s current plan for fighters?