UFC eyes May 30 as new date for event originally planned May 23

The UFC is changing its course from one date to the next.

While the promotion originally targeted May 23 for an event to follow up three straight in Jacksonville, Fla., which concludes Saturday, the promotion is now targeting May 30, instead.

On Tuesday, multiple people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the UFC’s plans but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make a formal announcement. It’s unclear where a May 30 event would take place, though UFC president Dana White has previously stated the promotion’s desire to run events at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas during the coronavirus pandemic.

That, however, depends on the Nevada Athletic Commission holding a meeting to discuss the potential reinstatement of combat sports in the state, which is in Phase 1 of Gov. Steve Sisolak’s plan to reopen after a shutdown of non-essential businesses – including casinos – caused by COVID-19. The NAC would have to approve MMA operations before the UFC could hold an event in Las Vegas.

Prior to the UFC’s change in plans, the May 23 card had four targeted fights, including a main event clash between former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (19-4-1 MMA, 11-4-1 UFC) and fellow contender Gilbert Burns (18-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC).

Mackenzie Dern (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) vs. Hannah Cifers (10-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Blagoy Ivanov (18-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) vs. Augusto Sakai (14-1-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), and Klidson Abreu (15-4 MMA, ) vs. Jamahal Hill (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) also were slated for that card.

It’s unknown if all of the verbally agreed-to bouts would shift to May 30, though MMA Junkie has confirmed that is the plan for at least two of them.