UFC: Dana White says Las Vegas is set to host May 30 event

The UFC appears set to hold another event May 30, and promotion president Dana White reportedly is getting it at his preferred venue.

White on Wednesday told media outlets, including the Las Vegas Review-Journal, that his Apex Facility in Las Vegas has been approved as the site of the May 30 mixed martial arts showcase.

"We are a go," for Las Vegas on May 30, White told the newspaper.

As of Wednesday afternoon, neither Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak nor the Nevada State Athletic Commission have confirmed White's assertion.

The UFC just wrapped up a three-event stint in Jacksonville, Fla., following an eight-week hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic. The shows, held in an eight-day span at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena, were generally well-received, garnering high television ratings and a better-than-expected 700,000 pay-per-view buys for UFC 249.

Numerous safety and testing protocols were in place on site for UFC staff, fighters and their coaches, media and all event-related personnel. During the three Jacksonville events just one fighter, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, tested positive for Covid-19. Two of his coaching staff tested positive as well.

The events were held without spectators and even the television broadcasters were isolated in separate partitions during the event.

White told the media in Jacksonville that his preference for the May 30 event would be the Apex Facility, a private fighting compound that is host to events such as "Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series."

"It makes more sense with what's going on for us to be doing the events at our own arena," he said. "It will be a lot safer for my employees, the fighters, everyone. I hope to have fights there this month."

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However, if Nevada doesn't work out, White said he would move the show to nearby Arizona. Like Florida, Arizona recently gave the go-ahead for hosting professional sports.

The main event for the May 30 card will feature former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley taking on rising start Gilbert Burns. Woodley hasn't fought since losing the belt to Kamaru Usman in their March 2019 bout. Burns has won five straight bouts, including a knockout of veteran Demian Maia on March 14 in Brazil, the last UFC event held before the two-month hiatus.

It stands to reason that if the May 30 card is held in Las Vegas, the Apex Facility also would host UFC 250 a week later, on June 6. Women's featherweight champion Amanda Nunes is scheduled to face Felicia Spencer in the main event. 

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