This stuff writes itself.
So in the past month the state of Florida reportedly deemed WWE an essential service – I get angry typing that – and now they are agreeing to let the UFC hold an event during a deadly viral outbreak. Even if it’s going to be with a skeleton production crew and without an audience it is still being held. Here in Kentucky the sporting events haven’t even been given a hopeful date yet let alone has a serious discussion taken place. My state is supposed to be the backwoods of the two right?
The main event is for a pretty much meaningless interim lightweight title belt. Tony Ferguson will risk his undisputed title shot against Khabib Nurmagomedov on a bout with Justin Gaethje. Justin is definitely a game competitor and a threat should Tony get sloppy. Gaethje is not Khabib Nurmagomedov and a win over him won’t convince anyone that Tony Ferguson is any better than they think he is right now. This is all risk an minimal reward for him.
Justin on the other hand has everything to gain. He can claim a belt and up his status and certainly his pay. He beats Tony Ferguson and talk of his chances against Khabib Nurmagomedov will reignite. There will be a hype train like we haven’t seen in recent years and Joe Rogan may have a stroke during a discussion about it on his podcast. Gaethje is the big winner in all of this.
May 9th has been officially circulating as the date for UFC 249 with Jacksonville, Florida as the city playing host to it. The venue is the Veterans Memorial Arena reportedly holding up to 15,000 people for bigger events but without a crowd it will feel especially empty. It is strange times we are living in, but hey at least it’s not on Dana’s mythical fight island.