The most anticipated UFC event of all time is finally upon us, as UFC Freedom 250 is just four days away. The unique fight card features just seven fights in total, with the last two, of course, being championship fights at both Lightweight and Heavyweight.
When this card was announced, there were a ton of questions not about the fights themselves, but the logistics of this event, how it’ll look on TV, where the fighters will warm up and walk out of, and how big the structure will be on the lawn.
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There’s been one question that trumps all, which is what happens if there’s inclement weather? Whether it’s rain, high heat, or humidity, what will the UFC do? This has been a major concern amongst fans and the media alike, but one person isn’t concerned at all: UFC President Dana White.
Dana White has plans for problematic weather
Dana White has never been afraid to push the envelope and do things that people think can’t be done. This certainly applies to the White House event, and regarding the one major concern, White has a plan for it.
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When asked about how often he looks at the weather heading towards this Sunday, White said “Not at all” and proceeded to talk about how the UFC’s head of production is constantly checking the weather. White also said, “I don’t care if it snows, rains, whatever, we’re going.”
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Explaining further, White mentioned what would happen if lightning struck, which would be the worst-case scenario. Dana White compared this event to how people played outdoor sports as kids, saying, “You guys all played sports when you were growing up. Whenever there was lightning, you’d sit the lightning out, and then when it was over, you played.”
Why bad weather conditions would be disastrous for the fights
Dana White’s confidence is warranted regarding the event; it is not being postponed, canceled, or anything of that nature. The fighters are the ones who would suffer, though. This is all new territory for these fighters, and if there’s active rain falling while a fight is underway, it could affect many facets of the fight. Fighters’ footwork, balance, concentration, and even grip strength could be affected by rain.
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Rain would especially hinder striking heavy fighters, such as Alex Pereira, Sean O’Malley, Ciryl Gane, Mauricio Ruffy, and many others on the card. Maybe the most fascinating aspect of this event will be seeing how the fighters react to fighting outdoors and how heat and potential precipitation affect their performances.
Either way, this is going to be a spectacle and a new chapter in the history of Mixed Martial Arts that may never be forgotten.
