For anybody who wondered what would happen if a fighter tested positive for coronavirus before UFC 249, the answer is nothing. The show goes on.
Indeed, even after Ronaldo Souza and two cornermen came back COVID-19 positive Friday night, UFC 249 will continue as planned in Jacksonville, Fla.
All throughout fight week, the UFC has tried to enforce safety and social distancing guidelines at the host hotel, where roughly 300 people have been staying. Tonight, those folks all shift to VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, which will be empty except for fighters, their corners, and only essential promotion, commission and production staff.
That will include individually spaced-out tables cageside for the commentating crew of Jon Anik, Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier, who offered a tour of what things will look like (via Twitter).
This is what @ufc 249 looks like. Tables apart. Very spaced out. Little different but it’s ok because the fights are back!!!!!!! LFG
There’s also this 360-degree view of the arena from the UFC (via Instagram):
Here’s hoping we get through the night and two events next week without anybody else catching COVID-19.
The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.
VIdeo: Here's what UFC 249 looks like cageside with social distancing in mind
