UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on May 9, 2020 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. It was originally planned to take place on April 18 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, United States. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed (see section below). On April 21, the UFC confirmed that UFC 249 would be moved to May 9 and take place in Florida.
The poster for UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje
Originally, Khabib Nurmagomedov was expected to make the third defense of his UFC Lightweight Championship at this event, but had to pull out due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California is located on land owned by the Tachi-Yokut Tribe, part of the Santa Rosa Indian Community, the event did not fall under the jurisdiction of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) and their ban on combat sports events through the end of May.
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena hosted the much anticipated return of the UFC amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena is a multi-purpose arena located in Jacksonville, Florida. It currently serves as the home arena of the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL, the Jacksonville Giants of the American Basketball Association, and the Jacksonville Sharks of the National Arena League.
Entrance to the arena (c.2011)
