There’s been plenty of reasons to believe that UFC 249 will not take place on May 9th as planned. But, the man who is booked to call the card, Jon Anik, sounds all but certain UFC 249 will take place.
Anik gives 9/10 odds UFC 249 will happen
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UFC hasn’t held a card now since March 14th. The promotion worked to hold UFC 249 on April 18th at the Tachi Palace Resort and Casino in California. But, when various officials spoke out against holding an event during the pandemic, the UFC postponed the show.
More recently, the UFC announced that it plans to hold a card May 9th, and that a bout between Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson will headline the show. It’s been reported the UFC is planning to hold the card in Florida, where certain sporting events can now be closed behind closed doors.
Since the UFC’s plans to resume operations have been shut down several times now, doubts about whether the May 9 card will happen are understandable. But, while talking to MMA Junkie recently, Anik said this.
“I do think we’re going to have a show on May 9,” Anik said. “I feel pretty convicted in that. I would say a 9/10 (odds it happens), if you will. I live in Florida, so those reports aren’t bothering me any.
Big picture, I think it’s just about getting the staff and the fighters to wherever this location is. I feel like if any company can do it (the UFC can). I feel like all their ducks are in a row.
May 9 can’t come soon enough so we can prove we can do a show safely and healthy and come out the other side.”
“I’m working May 9,” Anik said. “I will be there and depending on where it is, I’ll either drive or fly and find a way. I have a lot of respect for the virus.
I’ve heard from a lot of respiratory therapists privately and publicly, and I have a lot of respect for the medical community and the virus. But at some point us in the live event business, we’re going to have to rip off the BAND-AID and go back to work.
Especially when the executives, Dana White being chief among them, are putting themselves in a position to try to get back.
“You can be sure we will be masked and gloved almost right up until showtime until we’re spitting commentary in the direction of the fighters or whatever we’re doing.
We’ll be taking a lot of precautions obviously, and I’m sure the questions we have now will be answered leading up to May 9.”
Is Anik right?
As it stands right now, unless authorities in Florida decide to re-enact the restrictions again, it does look like UFC 249 will happen. A more pressing question is, however, will all of the planned fights go through? Will all the booked fighters be medically cleared to fight?
Hopefully, everyone involved with the card arrives in Florida good to go, and everyone emerges from the event healthy and safe.