UFC 249 Ultimate Fighting Championship live stream Free online Tv pass. will take place somewhere in Florida, May 9, 2020.
Nov 19, 2016; Sao Paulo, Brazil; A general view of the octagon before UFC Fight Night at Ibirapuera Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
https://ufc249i.live/Jon Anik will be prepared to call UFC 249 no matter what shape or form in which the event plays out.
Anik, who serves as the lead play-by-play man for the UFC, said he likes the chances of the promotion pulling off its next event despite current uncertainties. The coronavirus pandemic caused the UFC to suspend all events, including UFC 249, which was originally set for April 18.
UFC president Dana White has remained adamant about moving forward with fight cards and rescheduled UFC 249 for May 9. The show reportedly will take place somewhere in Florida, but nothing has been made official. Ensuring the health and safety of everyone involved is the key element in achieving a successful sporting event in the current climate, and Anik is confident the proper steps will be taken.
“I do think we’re going to have a show on May 9,” Anik told MMA Junkie. “I feel pretty convicted in that. I would say a 9/10 (odds it happens), if you will. I live in Florida, so those reports aren’t bothering me any. Big picture, I think it’s just about getting the staff and the fighters to wherever this location is. I feel like if any company can do it (the UFC can). I feel like all their ducks are in a row. May 9 can’t come soon enough so we can prove we can do a show safely and healthy and come out the other side.”
Anik said he doesn’t know all the details about additional measures being taken for UFC 249. Reports leading up to the postponed April 18 card included details of the UFC’s plan to issue multiple coronavirus tests to anyone involved leading up to fight night. It’s unknown if that’s part of the current plan, but Anik expressed faith in the UFC’s leadership and therefore is dedicated to playing his part.
“I’m working May 9,” Anik said. “I will be there and depending on where it is, I’ll either drive or fly and find a way. I have a lot of respect for the virus. I’ve heard from a lot of respiratory therapists privately and publicly, and I have a lot of respect for the medical community and the virus. But at some point us in the live event business, we’re going to have to rip off the BAND-AID and go back to work. Especially when the executives, Dana White being chief among them, are putting themselves in a position to try to get back.
“You can be sure we will be masked and gloved almost right up until showtime until we’re spitting commentary in the direction of the fighters or whatever we’re doing. We’ll be taking a lot of precautions obviously, and I’m sure the questions we have now will be answered leading up to May 9.”
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Outside of Anik, no other member of the UFC’s most frequent pay-per-view commentators have publicly committed to UFC 249. Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier have grappled with the idea of doing it, and Dominick Cruz is scheduled to challenge Henry Cejudo for the bantamweight title in the UFC 249 co-main event.
Whomever ends up on the call with him, though, Anik said he will be prepared to guide viewers through the live action as he has for every major card the past several years. It will have been 56 days between UFC events if UFC 249 goes down, and Anik is hopeful it happens without a hitch and sparks a relative return to normalcy.
“You get one in the can successfully, and maybe that sets the foundation for future events,” Anik said. “That’s what we’re all pointing toward on May 9. How exactly is it going to get done? I can’t tell you right now. But I would bet on the UFC to get it done in the safest way as humanly possible.”
