Dana White vows no job losses at UFC, will look after fighters after UFC 249 postponement

Dana White says he doesn’t want anyone involved with the UFC to worry about the financial consequences of the organization’s recently postponed events.

White, whose team has been battling around the clock to put together an event for UFC 249, as well as plan ahead for subsequent events, has been forced to stand down the company’s efforts following requests from top-level executives from both ESPN and Disney.

As a result, UFC 249 and all subsequent events have been suspended indefinitely during the global COVID-19 pandemic and, speaking to ESPN, White said he will take care of all the fighters who were set for action on Apr. 18. He also stressed that the jobs of everyone on his team at the UFC were safe.

“One other thing I really want to point out is: All of my fighters that are under contract with me, I want them to feel safe,” White said. “Take time with your families and enjoy this time. Don’t worry about the financial part of this. You’re going to get the fights on your contract and I’m going to make things right with the people who were willing to step up and fight next weekend on April 18.

“I’m going to take care of as many people as I possibly can and do whatever it takes to make all of these guys feel comfortable,” he continued. “All of my employees – nobody is getting laid off at the UFC. Everybody is good. We will be the first sport back. ‘Fight Island’ is real. It’s a real thing. The infrastructure is being built right now and that’s really going to happen. It will be on ESPN.”

White said he’s hopeful that, in about a month’s time when ‘Fight Island’ is projected to be ready, he can start shipping fighters to train, with a view to proceed with events as soon as he is given the green light.