MMA vs. coronavirus: Staying up to date on developments during the COVID-19 pandemic

We keep you updated on the latest MMA schedule plans amid unprecedented circumstances.

Sunday, March 15

Original UFC on ESPN+ 29 card in shambles

With U.S. travel restrictions extended to the U.K. and England among countries banning large gathering, UFC on ESPN+ 29 – scheduled to take place Saturday in London – effectively has been scrapped. Some fights remain, while others are canceled altogether.

The UFC has sent out an internal memo to managers in wake of the situation, essentially opening the door for any fighters – on the UFC roster or not – to volunteer their services for a makeshift event.

Woodley vs. Edwards headliner canceled

The UFC on ESPN+ 29 lineup takes a big blow as the headliner between [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] and [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] is canceled. Edwards made the announcement on Instagram.

“We have been working with the UFC on possible solutions to keep the fight alive,” Edwards said, “but unfortunately with such a short window of time, nothing was viable.”

Covington volunteers to fight Woodley

With UFC on ESPN+ 29 in need of a headliner, [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] says he’s willing to fight longtime rival Tyron Woodley on six days’ notice.

Woodley says he is interested.

Woodley calls Covington’s bluff

Even though [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] says he’s willing to fight in the UFC on ESPN+ 29 main event, [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] claims he wasn’t serious.

Woodley says he accepted but that Covington said he was “just kidding.”

Burns in mix as possible Woodley opponent?

Fresh off a first-round TKO win over Demian Maia last Saturday, [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] hints that he’s been offered to step in and fight Tyron Woodley. All that awaits is for Woodley to accept.

The fight has being offered! As always I said yes! On my way to Miami! Can’t wait to as soon as a land tomorrow to have a @ufc contract on my email! Waiting on you @TWooodley to say YES!

Cage Warriors to the rescue?

Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan tells MMA Junkie that he is willing to put previous UFC London fights on his card this Friday. Cage Warriors 113 is expected to go on behind closed doors.

“We have been trying to save a couple of the UFC London fights and have them compete at the show as contracted UFC fights on Cage Warriors,” Boylan said. “I’m just trying to help the fighters not miss out on competing. It may or may not happen, as it’s a fast-moving situation and trying to pull all the moving parts together is super tricky.”