A tribal land in California is reportedly set to host the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s next pay-per-view event.
The Nevada-based promotion will raise its curtains for the UFC 249 fight card on April 18, which will be headlined by an interim lightweight title bout between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje.
While most of the sport leagues in the United States have decided to suspend their current seasons due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UFC’s next PPV event will go as scheduled, with Dana White keeping the new location undisclosed.
But a report from New York Times on Tuesday revealed that the promotion is heading to a California tribal land later this month as the Tachi Palace Resort Casino will host UFC 249.
“The location will be the Tachi Palace Casino Resort near Lemoore, Calif., about 40 miles south of Fresno, according to the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because White had not announced the venue,” the report said.
Locked Up
On Monday, the head honcho shared has secured a private island for the April card and the upcoming MMA shows, following the announcement of the new line up for UFC 249.
“I’ll tell you this, I’m this close to getting a deal done,” White told ESPN.
“So this place where this fight is going to be on April 18 I have locked up for two months, so I’m going to continue to pump fights out.”
“I also secured an island. I’ve got an island. The infrastructure is being built right now. We’re going to do all of our international fights on this island.
“So when we do this fight April 18, international and in the United States, we’re going to start cranking.”
“The UFC will be back up and running, internationally and here in the States.”
Not Participating
However, the California Department of Consumer Affairs, which oversees the state’s athletic commission, has confirmed its non-participation in the upcoming event.
“The commission echoes the guidance of California Governor Gavin Newsom, the Department of Public Health, local health officials, and the recommendations of the Association of Ringside Physicians regarding the cancellation of events where people may be at risk of contracting Covid-19 and encourages the industry to do the same.”
“The commission will not participate in the U.F.C. event on April 18, regardless of the event location.”
The UFC 249 was originally set to take place at Barclays Center in New York but the state canceled the event as large gatherings have been banned in the US.
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ UFC)