UFC relying on hefty health, safety blueprint for trio of shows
Extra precautions being taken to keep staff, fighters safe from virus
The UFC returns to action Saturday after a two-month absence with the first of three shows in Jacksonville, Fla. — working off a hefty health, safety and operations manual in the face of COVID-19.
The mixed martial arts organization plans to use the 25page-plus blueprint as its bible for the week covering the Florida cards and for future shows — all without spectators — planned at the UFC Apex facility adjacent to its Las Vegas headquarters.
“The protocols actually begin before anybody even arrives at site,” said Lawrence Epstein, the UFC’s COO and senior executive vice-president.
Everyone travelling to the event is quizzed in advance about potential COVID-19 symptoms or whether they have been in contact with anyone who has. If there are no red flags, they get the green light to go to the event.
Upon arrival, they undergo two tests — the antibody test and a deep nasal swab.
The antibody test provides almost immediate results, while the swab takes about 20-24 hours. If the antibody test comes back positive, the person is isolated until the results from the swab come back.
With shows also planned for May 13 and 16, the UFC has essentially taken over one tower of the host hotel.
“We’ve got a hotel that we control,” said Epstein. “Practice areas and other things like that that are completely under our control, under a schedule. (There’s) cleaning in between to make sure there’s nothing passed on even though everyone’s tested clean.”
The UFC says it has slashed its production staff, from the normal 300-plus including fighters and their corners, by more than half. It is also trying to limit interaction, even at the correct physical distancing.
During the broadcast, the three commentators will sit at separate tables. Media covering the event, who also had to undergo tests for COVID-19, will also be limited.
“You’re certainly going to notice people wearing protective gear,” said Epstein. “We’re going to be following CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines, which include social distancing and, of course, wearing masks. So you’re going to see a lot of that.
“Obviously, with respect of the athletes competing, that’s not an option. But we’re certainly giving the opportunity to everybody involved to wear protective equipment and that would include the referee.”
Epstein said the referees can choose whether to wear a mask. But camera operators and local commission officials will be wearing them. It will be a new look for the UFC’s “Octagon girls,” if they don masks.
The post-fight interviews won’t come in the cage as normal. Instead, the fighters will do the interviews from a remote location via headsets.
Fighters and their corners normally share warmup rooms at the show. That won’t happen this time with the UFC, taking advantage of the extra room in the arena due to the lack of fans, creating more space for the fighters.
The UFC also brought 26 portable saunas, instead of the normal four, to keep the fighters apart as they cut weight.
Former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, for one, said fighting without fans won’t be too different, given his preparations for the bout.
“We’ve all been having to train with minimal people, like four to six people max in the gym so that nobody’s getting contaminated,” said Cruz, who is featured in the co-main event Saturday.
“And it’s been pretty silent in there.”
Lightweight contender Justin Gaethje, who is in Saturday’s main event, believes it may make for a better spectacle for the viewers.