Last week, UFC President Dana White confirmed to a local Las Vegas newspaper that the next UFC events on 30 May and 6 June would be taking place in the city, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission remained quiet.
On Wednesday, the NSAC finally convened for the first time in months since the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic shut down sports in the state. The commission unanimously approved that these two UFC events could be held in the promotion’s Vegas-based Apex facility.
One potential stumbling block was the UFC’s coronavirus protocols, but the promotion’s updated measures are in accordance with those of the NSAC.
This means UFC on ESPN 9 and UFC 250 will take place behind closed doors in the UFC Apex and its smaller, 25-foot cage rather than the 30-foot standard.
UFC on ESPN 9 is set to take place on Saturday and will be headlined with a bout between former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Gilbert Burns.
UFC 250 is expected to feature a women’s featherweight title fight pitting champion Amanda Nunes against Felicia Spencer on 6 June.
The UFC Apex is expected to play host domestic UFC cards featuring American and any other US-based fighters going forward, while the promotion’s roster of international fighters will compete on the yet-to-be unveiled “Fight Island.”
As yet, no fight cards have been formally announced for Fight Island.