Coronavirus: UFC fighters react to upcoming events being postponed

From fans to fighters to media and managers, the halt of UFC operations caused many reactions on social media.

The UFC finally folded in the face of the coronavirus pandemic when, after days of resistance, the promotion decided to officially postpone its next three events.

Fight cards originally set for London (March 21), Columbus (March 28) and Portland, Ore. (April 11) have been pushed off until further notice. UFC president Dana White announced the news to company employees on Monday.

The decision alters plans for nearly 40 scheduled fights, and while UFC 249 on April 18 is still on the docket, additional postponements are still a possibility.

Naturally, the news has a massive ripple effect across the sport of MMA. From fans to fighters to media and managers, the halt of UFC operations caused many reactions on social media. Check below for more.

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I don't think there's a doc out there who would say COVID-19 is more dangerous than fighting for a living. I'm not afraid of it to be honest. It's like the flu but 10x more deadly. So what? I put myself in more danger every day. So for anybody else who feels that way I agree.⁣ ⁣ But I also learned it's not about me. I can carry it. I can have no symptoms like Donovan Mitchell. Then I can give it to my grandma and maybe she doesn't beat it. Then what? All my UFC title belts ain't gonna make me tough enough to deal with that responsibility.⁣ ⁣ Hawaii doesn't have that many hospital beds… If just a few hundred elderly need to be in ICU for treatment then what? What happens then when Sista Moki gets in a car accident and the ICU is already full? I don't know. Nobody does and we don't want to find out.⁣ ⁣ This isn't about most of us who could get it and beat it. It's about the people who won't beat it so we gotta make sure we do our part to protect them. Take the social distancing seriously. Pretend you already have it. Distance yourself to protect others AND yourself.⁣ ⁣ I know when the govt says "prepare but don't panic" that basically screams panic. I get it. But none of us need 48 rolls of toilet paper… So if you know someone who may need supplies, we need to help them and share. But also remember we could already have it and not know, so be VERY careful?⁣ ⁣ And if you see me in the store, smile, point to the ground if you one banga, but we don't need to take photos. Most people who go to the store in normal times probably only interact with one or two strangers. When I go anywhere I have hundreds of interactions, a lot of people come up to me. I'm a magnet for viruses. It's not good for your loved ones health for you to interact with me now. ⁣ ⁣ I promise when this is all over my team will do meet and greets so everyone who wants a photo or autograph can get one, so don't worry you will not be missing your chance. ⁣ ⁣ This isn't practice. This is a fight. You guys know me. I love to take fights into deep waters. This isn't one we want to take into deep waters. The quicker we can slow the spread the quicker we get back to normal 🤙🏻

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https://twitter.com/Leon_edwardsmma/status/12396620310761963521

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Your free advice for the day… . In times of panic, confusion, and uncertainty there is always some form of opportunity. Even more important than opportunity is compound interest or the accumulation of small efforts over time making a substantial difference. . . Imagine if all your competition took the next 60 days off and you kept working your craft for only 1 hour daily. You’ve accumulated 60 hours of REAL time mastering your craft. That’s 2.5 days of actual time you’ve jumped in front of the competition. . . I LOVE times like these when anyone is looking for an excuse to pull back or rest. These are the times when I’ve gained the most in my life. When everyone is looking for a reason to slow down you have to laser focus and pick it up. . I have my own views on this whole situation and I have no intention of making those views a part of this post. In no way am I down playing what’s happening but… . The people that want it bad enough will comment supporting each other in finding a way to get what’s yours. The people that want to make an excuse will leave comments about how they can’t or shouldn’t.

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