UFC Returns, Why America Loves it
By Joe DePaolo, New York Times
In an age of trolls, economic insecurity and social isolation, mixed martial arts gives fans a rush of harsh reality.
It comes as no surprise to its ardent followers that the Ultimate Fighting Championship, known as U.F.C., will be the first organization to stage a major professional sports event in the United States since the spread of Covid-19 induced a monthslong live sports hiatus. Its brash president, Dana White, never wanted to cease operations in the first place.
“I wanted to keep right on going; we’ll figure this thing out,” Mr. White told Sports Illustrated. “If this thing is that deadly, it’s gonna get us no matter where we hide or what we do.”
In April, through U.F.C., Mr. White rented a private island where he is planning to put on fights by late June, involving international mixed martial arts fighters who may have difficulty securing visas. The territory — which Mr. White has crowned “Fight Island” — could stage bouts for the duration of the pandemic, or perhaps beyond, he says.
The mixed martial arts, or MMA, fighters he oversees — who are of various cultural and political leanings — have a similar attitude. And so, the athletes will be back in action even sooner: There’s a fight Saturday night. Not on Fight Island, where the venue is still under construction, but in Florida at the Jacksonville Arena, where lightweights Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje will square off in the headline bout. Neither man seems concerned. “I hope he breaks my nose, I’ve been waiting to get it fixed.” Mr. Gaethje said tauntingly. “Maybe he’ll plant an elbow on there.”
Read full article
