Media plan in place for UFC 249 in Jacksonville – with virtual press conferences

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has necessitated physical distancing to help prevent the virus’ spread.

That makes things like a traditional UFC pre-event media day with fighters hard to organize. But the promotion has a workaround for its next three events – its return to fights after a layoff of nearly two months in the wake of COVID-19 shutdowns around the world.

For its return next week with UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in
Jacksonville, Fla., the promotion will have the first virtual media day in its history. Media members who register for the event in advance will be able to participate in digital scrum-style interviews with fighters from the main card and featured preliminary card bouts.

The same format will be used during UFC 249 itself, with fight winners joining virtual scrums after their bouts.

UFC 249 takes place May 9. The following week, the UFC holds events at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 13 and May 16.

The UFC 249 virtual media day attendees include headliners Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje, who fight for the interim lightweight title; bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo and former champ Dominick Cruz, who meet in the co-main event; plus Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Jeremy Stephens and Calvin Kattar, Greg Hardy and Yorgan De Castro, and Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis.