UFC London card falls into shambles after relocation announcement due to coronavirus outbreak

As more information continues to come out, the UFC’s hope to host an event Saturday look increasingly grim.

The coronavirus crisis has caused most noteworthy sporting events to be canceled or postponed. But despite big logistical challenges, the UFC insists it will go on with its schedule.

After this past Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 28 event in Brasilia, Brazil, was forced behind closed doors, the promotion now looks ahead to UFC on ESPN+ 29. That event currently does not have a location, venue or expected number of fights.

The card originally was set for The O2 in London in front of a live audience. But U.S. travel restrictions that just were extended to the United Kingdom have derailed those plans. UFC president Dan White announced Saturday night that salvaging the event is of the highest priority, but the issues continue to mount.

ESPN’s Ariel Helwani shared an internal memo the UFC sent out to managers in the 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.

As more information continues to come out, though, the UFC’s hope to host an event Saturday look increasingly grim. The status of some fighters remains unknown, while others have already officially withdrawn.

Below is the latest on each bout that, as of this week, was on tap for the UFC on ESPN+ 29.

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Leon Edwards vs. Tyron Woodley

Status: Unknown

Details: No solid word on the planned main event, but with the card seemingly being shifted to the United States, it puts Edwards in a precarious position. The travel restrictions mean Edwards has a decision to make in terms of leaving his homeland, where he was supposed to get the advantage of fighting.

Nicolas Dalby vs. Danny Roberts

Status: Canceled

Details: Roberts confirmed on Instagram a report from MMA journalist Chisanga Malata that his fight with Dalby will not happen.

View this post on Instagram

I’m sure that everyone has heard the news by now but it is with frustration that I can confirm that my fight scheduled ‪on 21 March 2020‬ at UFC London is no longer going ahead. After numerous months abroad, time spent away from family and all the other sacrifices associated with competing at the elite, it goes without saying that my personal frustration is on another level right now. I have worked hard my whole life for these moments and, particularly in light of last year’s events, I was fully focused on putting on an unforgettable show on for the fans in this year’s co-main event. I live and breathe fighting. I love performing for the fans. I have done everything in my power to make sure this fight happens. However, this is completely out of my control and recognise that the health and safety of the 20,000 people who would be in the O2 Arena ‪on Saturday night‬ is paramount. Therefore, despite the widespread disappointment, if delaying or moving the competition protects people it’s 100% worth it. Life is all about perspective and, in this time of madness, I would urge everyone to spend quality time with their loved ones – that’s certainly what I will be doing. Let’s fight this virus together 🦠 (but in groups no larger than 500 people 😆). See you soon fight fans ✌🏽❤️ #UFC #UFCEurope #UFCLondon #TeamChocolate #MixedMartialArts #UKMMA #SanfordMMA

A post shared by Danny Roberts (@danhotchocolate) on

Kevin Holland vs. Jack Marshman

Status: Canceled

Details: Marshman will not be competing, but the UFC is actively searching for a new opponent to face Holland, as MMA Junkie previously reported.

Darren Stewart vs. Marvin Vettori

Status: Unknown

Details: There’s been no information on the state of Stewart vs. Vettori.

Geraldo de Freitas vs. Jack Shore

Status: Canceled

Details: According to a report from BBC, the matchup between de Freitas and Shore has been scratched.

Marc Diakiese vs. Jai Herbert

Status: Canceled

Details: According to an Instagram post from Diakiese, his matchup with Herbert is off.

Paul Craig vs. Ryan Spann

Status: Unknown

Details: There’s been no information on the state of Craig vs. Spann.

Gabriel Benitez vs. Lerone Murphy

Status: Canceled

Details: According to an Instagram post from Murphy, his matchup with Benitez is off.

Ashlee Evans-Smith vs. Molly McCann

Status: Canceled

Details: According to an Instagram post from Evans-Smith, who already had traveled overseas from the U.S., her matchup with McCann is off.

Makwan Amirkhani vs. Mike Grundy

Status: Canceled

Details: SBG Ireland head coach John Kavanagh took to Twitter and indicated Amirkhani would not be fighting.

John Phillips vs. Dusko Todorovic

Status: Canceled

Details: SBG Ireland head coach John Kavanagh took to Twitter and indicated Phillips would not be fighting.

Tom Aspinall vs. Jake Collier

Status: Unknown

Details: There’s been no information on the state of Aspinall vs. Collier.

Bartosz Fabinski vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov

Status: Canceled

Details: According to a report from IntheCage.pl, Fabinski has been pulled from the card and is hoping to be rescheduled on a different card in the near future.