Dana White Says the UFC Will Hold Upcoming Event in Arizona if UFC Apex Isn’t Available for May 30

Speaking at last night’s post-fight press conference for UFC on ESPN 8 (h/t Sherdog), UFC President Dana White spoke about where the UFC could have its next upcoming events following the three events that were held over the course of May 9 through May 16 in Jacksonville, Florida at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

When asked about Arizona Governor David Ducey saying the state would be open to professional sports leagues after May 15, White said that’s where the UFC would go if it wasn’t clear to use the UFC Apex at the end of the month (May 30). White stated on Arizona, “That’s where I’ll go. That’s 100 percent where I’ll go.” Below are some highlights and a video from the presser.

White on finishing up the Jacksonville events: “I wanted this week to be over. It was successful in every way it could be successful. I feel good about it. More importantly, nobody’s sick. Nobody’s gotten sick. Hopefully that’s the case. There’s no guarantees in life, but hopefully that’s the case when we all go home. It was a great event, it was a great week … I’m ready to go home though.”

On the current plan for a UFC event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on May 30: “I don’t know yet, but that’s what we’re working on. That’s what we’re hoping for. We’re rolling now. If we can’t get May 30 at the Apex, it’s gonna be super disappointing, but we will go somewhere else.”

Dana White on fighters who could compete on upcoming cards: “People are training right now. People want to fight. I don’t see an issue making a fight with anybody right now. Other than Rose [Namajunas], and there might be others. I don’t know if this is a fact but I don’t think there’s anybody else that’s thrown up any issues about fighting right now.”

On the UFC’s main focus on the last week: “Nothing has mattered to us but this week right now. This is all we care about — getting through this week. We go home. We start getting back in the office next week. All of our employees are being tested [for coronavirus] right now. So we’re testing the whole company, and we’re getting everybody back to work. The matchmaking meeting is Tuesday, so we’ll get our s—t together next week.”

White on holding an event in Arizona if they can’t get the UFC Apex: “Now I’ve got to get the thumbs up for Nevada, which hopefully we’re doing this next fight in the Apex. Because if not, we’ll be working on Arizona next.”