Bellator 241 to proceed in Connecticut without fans due to coronavirus fears

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – In response to the increasingly life-altering global coronavirus pandemic, Bellator 241 on Friday will go forward – but without fans in attendance.

Connecticut Gov. Ted Lamont on Tuesday declared a public health emergency similar to moves made by governors in other New England states. On Thursday, he signed an executive order that, in part, prohibits public gatherings in excess of 250 people.

Bellator’s event at at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville will go on – but in a mostly empty venue. Bellator officials are expected to have a pending announcement about the decision. TSN Sports‘ Aaron Bronsteter first reported the news.

Fans will not be admitted to the arena. Only fighters, their corners, event, broadcast personnel, and credentialed media members are expected to be allowed inside the arena during the event.

The promotion’s decision comes hours after it was reported the UFC is doing the same thing for its event in Brasilia, Brazil, set for Saturday. That show will be held behind closed doors after a ban on large public gatherings in the capital city due to several positive coronavirus tests there. The UFC canceled its Thursday media day and Friday ceremonial weigh-ins, as well.

Bellator held a Wednesday media day with 10 fighters at Mohegan Sun and went forward with its official and ceremonial weigh-ins on Thursday. But the ceremonial weigh-ins took place before the governor’s executive order.

Because the Mohegan Tribe is a sovereign nation, it technically is not ruled by an executive order from the governor, a commission spokesperson told MMA Junkie on Thursday. But in this case, the promotion and commission will honor the ruling.

Bellator and the UFC are not alone in their moves to hold events with no fans. Other MMA shows already have done the same. But others have canceled events outright.

On Wednesday, the U.S. announced its borders would be closed to most travelers from Europe, other than the United Kingdom, for the next 30 days in response to the continued spread of the virus. In addition, the NBA put the rest of its season on hold indefinitely after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for coronavirus. The upcoming NCAA tournaments for both men’s and women’s basketball were canceled.

Across the country in recent days, there have been mass cancellations and postponements of concerts, sporting events, conferences and other situations with large amounts of people gathered in one place.

The card is headlined by featherweight and lightweight champion Patricio Freire (30-4 MMA, 18-4 BMMA), who puts his 145-pound title on the line against Pedro Carvalho (11-3 MMA, 4-0 BMMA). The fight also is a quarterfinal bout in Bellator’s ongoing featherweight tournament. In the co-feature, Emmanuel Sanchez (19-4 MMA, 11-3 BMMA) takes on Daniel Weichel (40-11 MMA, 9-3 BMMA) in a second quarterfinal tournament bout.