El jueves, Dana White anunció que la UFC suspenderá de forma indefinida la celebración programada de la función de pago por evento UFC 429 el 18 de abril.
La cartelera fue planeada pese a la orden de quedarse en casa en casi todo Estados Unidos y tendría como pelea principal el combate por el título interino de peso Ligero entre Tony Ferguson y Justin Gaethje, además de que también tendría una eliminatoria entre Francis Ngannou y Jahirzinho Rozenstruik.
Tras la cancelación, los peleadores expresaron su agrado por la medida en redes sociales, mientras que otros expresaron su malestar por la suspensión.
Bravo @danawhite you did all you could. That's admirable of you and we all appreciate it .
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) April 9, 2020
Being someone who was signed to fight in May: trying to diet down and prepare to possibly fight, while being on lockdown, and not having access to my normal training has definitely been hard.
— Chase Hooper (@chase_hooper) April 9, 2020
I appreciate Dana and the UFC for how hard they've worked to try and make it happen. https://t.co/O9W4zFH83R
That look when you find out #UFC249 is postponed 😪😪😪 pic.twitter.com/b3OsITi1MI
— Gillian Robertson (@savage_ufc) April 9, 2020
Sad for the fighters and fans who got their hopes up for this. But maybe it's best to give this virus more time to blow over.
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 9, 2020
It's probably bitter-sweet for many of the workers and fighters scheduled to scrap.
We all want to make money, but we want to protect our families too. https://t.co/zSg0KSWoy2
#UFC249 cancelled WOW . Respect to @danawhite for trying his hardest to bring sports back to the world . Can't wait until everyone can return back to their normal lives . Hang in there folks ! 🙏🏾
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 9, 2020
Alright this is it.. great effort from @danawhite and @ufc to make it happening https://t.co/09mJF1ubin
— Nordine Taleb (@TNT83MMA) April 9, 2020
Thank you @ufc @danawhite @seanshelby @Mickmaynard2 for trying your hardest to put these fights on. Best team in the business hands down.
— Anthony Rocco Martin (@TonyRoccoMartin) April 9, 2020
I believe him when he says UFC will be the first sport back. Now let's hope we as fighters get 3 fights a year after all this. Also, you have to admit Dana is the most motivated president in sports. https://t.co/94C1JC54U2
— Aiemann Zahabi (@Aiemannzahabi) April 9, 2020
UFC 249 Has been cancelled. I'm not mad at it 🤷🏽♂️. It's probably best for everyone and @danawhite said they will come do a show at @Tachipalace 😝🔥. #ufc249 #fightisland https://t.co/ztAjIFpP6q
— Max Griffin (@MaxPainGriffin) April 9, 2020