Dana White Says The UFC Has Been Grinding During The Coronavirus Pandemic

MMA fans will get to see some UFC action this weekend in the form of UFC 249, which is being headlined by Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje battling for the vacant UFC Interim Lightweight Title.

Dana White says that while others were relaxing during the coronavirus pandemic, it was the UFC that was grinding away at things.

“While everybody was f—king lying out by the pool, hanging out and doing whatever the f—k they’re doing in quarantine, we were in here f—king grinding, man. Fighting crazy wars every day to put on this first event. We pulled it off. We were gonna be able to hold this thing earlier, and they asked us to stand down. … Now we’re going Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday. And I don’t think I’ve told anybody this yet: We’re gonna come back to Vegas and put on a fight May 23,” White said to Sports Illustrated.

The UFC is going to be the first major sports promotion to return during the pandemic, with the exception of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO).

White says that the promotion could be “f*cked” if the UFC 249 card doesn’t go on as planned.

“One hundred percent. Absolutely. That’s what I’m always painted as. … Corporate greed. … I’m a f—king money monger. I’m this and that. I’m like: Do you f—king people understand that I don’t have to do this? I could’ve f—king retired five years ago. I’m not doing this because I need the money. I haven’t laid off one employee. Everybody is getting paid. Fighters that were supposed to fight: If they didn’t get their fight, they’re getting some money, too. It isn’t like we’re about to go bankrupt over here, and if I don’t pull off this fight on May 9 we’re f—ked,” says White.

UFC 249 takes place on Saturday, May 9 from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida with Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.