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Trump Congratulates UFC for Resuming Sports: “We Think It’s Important”
After nearly two months of no entertainment for fans, UFC has resumed sports on Saturday night – which President Trump congratulated.
During ESPN’s broadcast of UFC 249, a prerecorded message from the president played: “I want to congratulate (UFC President) Dana White and the UFC. They’re going to have a big match. We love it. We think it’s important. Get the sports leagues back. Let’s play. Do the social distancing and whatever else you have to do. We need sports. We want our sports back. Congratulations to Dana White and UFC.”
Fox News reported that UFC 249, which took place in Jacksonville, serves as the first major sporting event to occur since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the country.
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3 people test positive for COVID-19 ahead of UFC 249. One said he was desperate for money because his family might end up homeless. https://t.co/SBEjkisWFJ
— Sports Insider (@SportsInsider) May 9, 2020
The UFC will hold three shows in eight days in Jacksonville. There, “state officials deemed professional sports with a national audience exempt from a stay-at-home order,” reported New York Post. This rule is only if the location doesn't allow the general public to have access to it.
Jacaré Souza tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday. His two cornermen also tested positive.
“All three men have left the host hotel and will be self-isolating off premises, where UFC’s medical team will monitor their conditions remotely and will provide assistance with any necessary treatment,” the UFC said.
According to White, Trump wants the event to be a blueprint for the return of live sports.
He went for Jacksonville with no fans. “Judges and broadcasters were separated. Fighters, trainers, referees, judges, UFC staff and even outside media had to undergo COVID-19 testing to get inside Veterans Memorial Arena,” reported New York Post.
Many attendees wore masks and gloves. However, but referees, ring announcer Bruce Buffer, other officials inside the octagon, and the ring girl did not wear masks.
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