NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- UFC 249, the first major sporting event since the coronavirus pandemic began, is taking place Saturday night but it will look different than in previous years: Namely, there won't be an audience, and there will be noticeable social distancing of officials situated around the octagon.
UFC champ Daniel Cormier tweeted a video from the floor of Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, writing, "This is what @ufc 249 looks like. Tables apart. Very spaced out. Little different but it's ok because the fights are back!!!!!!! LFG."
In the video, Cormier walks around the floor pointing out where various officials -- including UFC talent relations senior VP Sean Shelby and VP Mick Maynard -- and others will be sitting, making note of the distance between everyone.
"You've got Mick and Sean at this table, and this table here, (commentator) John Anik, audio visual," he says, as walks around the floor. "Way over here is where I'm going to sitting, then you've got the translator ... and then I don't know what these random chairs are, the commissioners are a little bit of ways a way ... security, and the media tables are all separate ....a bit of a different layout -- but the Octagon is back, baby, UFC 249!"
The pay-per-view event was originally scheduled to take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on April 18, but the New York State Athletic Commission said the mixed martial arts event could not take place because of the pandemic.
On Friday, UFC fighter Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, who was scheduled to fight Uriah Hall at UFC 249, tested positive for coronavirus. His fight was canceled.
Souza's two cornermen also tested positive, the UFC said in a statement.
"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," read the statement.
