Did Las Vegas Shut Down UFC’s May 23 Plans?

Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White recently stated that the promotion would, in fact, be staging a Fight Night event on May 23 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This, after the powers that be in UFC’s home state prevented the promotion from staging events at its APEX facility due to COVID-19.

But according to undefeated (7-0, 1-0 UFC) light heavyweight contender, Jamahal Hill, he just got confirmation that he will be fighting in Jacksonville, Florida on the same date. While the promotion has yet to confirm a change of plans in accordance to Hill’s statement, it seems Steve Sisolak, Nevada’s governor, didn’t see much in White’s 30-page document to convince him to once again allow combat events in the state at the moment.

The promotion held UFC 249 last Sat. night (May 9, 2020) inside VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville (recap), and will host UFC Jacksonville this Wednesday (May 13) as well as UFC on ESPN 8 on Sat. (May 16). With the venue already locked down, it makes sense to keep business there for the foreseeable future. Or, at the very least, until “Fight Island” is up and running which is now possible for late June.

Prior to UFC 249, Ronaldo Souza and two of his cornermen tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the cancellation of “Jacare’s” scheduled bout against Uriah Hall. Despite the setback, White and Co. are confident its safety protocols worked to perfection, as Souza revealed prior to the event that he had been around a family member who had the coronavirus.

Hill is expected to face off against Klidson Abreu in 205-pound action. And while not yet confirmed, Tyron Woodley is expected to headline the event against Gilbert Burns in a highly-pivotal welterweight showdown.