UFC boss Dana White has compared the novel coronavirus to cancer, saying one cannot hide from either, and that "if you're a high-risk person, this thing's going to get you."
White, the president of the world's premier MMA firm, has been forced to postpone three events because of travel restrictions and an ongoing health crisis as COVID-19 spreads. As of Wednesday, there were 425,493 global coronavirus cases with 18,963 deaths.
One event White is adamant will go ahead is UFC 249 on April 18, which is headlined by the box office bout between lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and challenger Tony Ferguson.
UFC 249 was pulled from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, because New York state has 15,592 confirmed cases and 192 deaths, and the situation there is not abating, but White plans to host it in another, as yet undecided, venue.
White told the Yahoo Sports combat columnist Kevin Iole that the show could still take place in America, though.
"[There are] two or three options in the United States and three or four options outside the country," he said. "Everybody's on a need to know basis and nobody needs to know right now."
When it came to health concerns, particularly with regards to actual testing for COVID-19, White refused to confirm or deny whether there would be increased measures in place for staff, athletes, and trainers during near-term events like UFC 249.
"Health and safety isn't something that just popped up on our radar with the coronavirus," White said. "It's something we deal with every week for the last 20 years."
White said he's "not some crazy rebel," has adhered to what the US government has said to do, but is skeptical about sharing his plans with the media.
"The less the media knows the better," he said. "A lot of this hysteria and this stuff that's been going on has been driven by the media. The less the media knows, the better off it is."
'Since when do Americans run and hide in their friggin' houses?'
White told Iole he's been in quarantine for more than a week with his family, saying it has been tough to do with teenage children wanting to get out of the house.
White appears eager to return to organizing elite MMA shows.
"Since when do Americans run and hide in their friggin' houses instead of taking taking this thing head on and finding solutions?" he said.
"You find solutions in how we continue to live our lives, protect the people who need to be protected.
"I don't think I'm a high-risk guy for this thing. Maybe I'm wrong! Then, if I'm wrong, the corona is going to get me. I'm not going to hide! It's like hiding from cancer, you can't hide!
"If you're a high-risk person this thing's going to get you. What's next … flu season, it's going to come back like the flu. If this thing's going to get ya, it's going to get ya. I've had a great run. If the coronavirus is what's going to get me, I'm ready. Bring it. I'm ready, corona. Come get me."
On being under lockdown, he later added: "The question becomes how long are we going to do this. How long are we going to stay in our houses and hide. If the coronavirus is what's going to get me, then so be it. It is what it is. Heart disease, car accidents, cancer … the list goes on and on for all these things that kill people every year.
"One thing guaranteed is we're all going to die of something."
Sport can help Nevada rebound, White said
As a leader of a multi-billion dollar business in Nevada, White said combat sport together with the arrival of NFL team, the Raiders, can be the catalyst which attracts tourists back to Las Vegas.
One of those tourist traps could be a fight he called "the biggest fight ever."
That fight, he said, would be one between Nurmagomedov, should he beat Ferguson next month, and Conor McGregor. The bout could take place at the under construction Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Raiders, and a venue which has a potential capacity of 72,000.
"You need as many things in this town to bring tourists back," White said.
"The Raiders should definitely help. If Khabib can beat Tony, obviously Conor and Khabib would be the biggest fight ever.
"So a lot of things need to line up for that to happen. The city needs to work hard in putting on events in making people interested in coming back to Vegas."
- Read more:
- Manny Pacquiao said he's 'not afraid to die' to help the Philippines battle the coronavirus pandemic
- Conor McGregor gave a statesman-like speech on Facebook urging the Irish government to lock down the country to stop coronavirus spreading
- UFC boss Dana White is fed up with the coronavirus 'bulls---' he says he is being forced to deal with
- Serena Williams said she got 'angry' at her 2-year-old daughter for coughing, and that the coronavirus pandemic is making her anxious and 'crazy'
- Khabib Nurmagomedov has been 'affected' by the coronavirus pandemic, and is training for his blockbuster fight with Tony Ferguson behind closed doors
