The COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe has caused the sporting world to grind to a virtual standstill, with even MMA forced to step down its efforts to plow on in the face of rising health concerns.

The outbreak has changed daily living for people in all walks of life, with terms like “self-isolation,” and “social distancing,” not to mention more hand washing than ever before becoming part of our daily routines.

With their main sources of income now severely curtailed, everyone in the MMA world finds themselves facing a different battle in an effort to stay safe as they, like the rest of us, adapt to a new normal during the global health crisis.

Via this page, we’ll keep you right up to date with the latest developments and stories throughout the coronavirus crisis.

(Editor’s note: This will continue to be updated as events unfold with the latest info in chronological from top to bottom.)

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Wednesday, March 18

Dana White: I will do my best to make UFC 249 happen on April 18

In his first interview since announcing the UFC had postponed its schedule through April 11, president Dana White touched on a wide variety of subjects, including criticisms of how the past week’s twists and turns were handled.

White, speaking to TSN, also said that while he can’t promise the highly anticipated fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson will happen on April 18, that you also shouldn’t bet against him.

“I have my own arena,” White said. “I have my own production, I have everything. I have everything you need to put on events. So, there isn’t much that I can’t pull off.”

UFC officially pulls plug on Barclays Center for UFC 249 venue

In a move that was expected, the UFC officially announced Wednesday UFC 249 on April 18 will no longer be held at Barclays Center in the New York borough of Brooklyn. Fans who bought tickets can get refunds at point of purchase.

You can read the company’s full press release below:

UFC is planning to move forward with UFC 249: KHABIB VS. FERGUSON in April. The event will not take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn as previously announced. The decision was made in accordance with guidance issued by the New York State Athletic Commission, as well as in accordance with restrictions by New York State limiting large public gatherings.  Additional details, including location and venue, will be announced when confirmed.  Barclays Center ticket holders may seek a full refund at the point of purchase.  Internet and phone orders will be automatically cancelled and refunded.  UFC looks forward to returning to Brooklyn at the earliest opportunity.

Cage Warriors 113 card reshuffled – again!

Travel restrictions in Europe have forced three key fights off Friday night’s Cage Warriors 113 card.

The new main event features the UFC middleweight bout between Bartosz Fabinski (14-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and Darren Stewart (11-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC), with support provided in the co-main slot by the Cage Warriors lightweight title fight between Mason Jones (8-0) and Joe McColgan (6-2-1).

It’s just the latest set of changes in a turbulent week for the Cage Warriors team, who moved the entire event from London to Manchester on Tuesday after arena operator AEG closed down indigo at The O2 in the English capital.

Michael Bisping’s advice to panic buyers: Get a (expletive) grip!

UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping has never been one to mince his words, and his latest Instagram post is no different, as he shares an image showing the difference between World War II ration queues and panic-buying shoppers fighting over rolls of toilet paper during the 2020 coronavirus crisis.

Offering some perspective, Bisping took to social media to issue something of a public service announcement to his followers (via Instagram).

View this post on Instagram

Get some self respect please. Respect this virus, of course. Employ social distancing, wash hands and remain 6 feet away from one another. The ladies at the top would of had they’re loved ones at war, cities being destroyed, millions of lives lost and still handled themselves with class. The embarrassments at the bottom are literally fighting over unnecessary toilet rolls and hand sanitizers. Get A Fucking Grip!

A post shared by Mikebisping (@mikebisping) on Mar 17, 2020 at 10:35pm PDT

Get some self respect please. Respect this virus, of course. Employ social distancing, wash hands and remain 6 feet away from one another. The ladies at the top would of had they’re loved ones at war, cities being destroyed, millions of lives lost and still handled themselves with class. The embarrassments at the bottom are literally fighting over unnecessary toilet rolls and hand sanitizers. Get A (expletive) Grip!

Muhammad ‘staying optimistic’ about UFC 249

Welterweight contender Belal Muhammad, who is scheduled to fight Lyman Good on the April 18 card, is hopeful that his fight, and the event as a whole, ends up happening.

“I’m staying optimistic; if there’s anyone that can get it done, it’s Dana,” Muhammad told MMA Junkie. “I feel like they were close to making every event happen, it just wasn’t enough time, so I’m hoping that these next four weeks will be dedicated to figuring out UFC 249. I’m also praying that a vaccine will happen in the next couple weeks. Who knows? Anything’s possible.”

White jokes about UFC 249 being on the moon

UFC president Dana White really, really, really doesn’t want to lose the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson fight scheduled to headline UFC 249 on April 18.

View this post on Instagram

LMFAO get ready everyone

A post shared by Dana White (@danawhite) on Mar 18, 2020 at 1:31pm PDT

Tuesday, March 17

Cage Warriors swaps London for Manchester

It looks like U.K.-based promotion Cage Warriors could have the only live MMA show in the world this weekend, and they remain determined to ensure Friday’s Cage Warriors 113 event goes ahead.

We’ve already seen fight card changes, with fighter replacements and even the addition of UFC fighters to the card. But news that arena operator AEG had closed the venue for Friday’s event, indigo at The O2, prompted more fears that the event would also be canceled.

But, less than hour after that announcement, Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan had secured the use of Manchester’s BEC Arena as the promotion gets set to move 220 miles north to keep the show alive.

Check out the full story here.

Khabib Nurmagomedov: I’ll fight Tony Ferguson anywhere, so long as we’re healthy

In an Instagram live chat along with manager Ali Abdelaziz, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov made it clear that he values everyone’s health and safety.

But he made just as clear that if he and Tony Ferguson are both healthy, then he will fight Ferguson wherever the UFC could get cleared to put on UFC 249 on April 18, and put it behind closed doors.

“People who have quarantine and sit home, they have fun, they watch fights,” Nurmagomedov said. “Fighters go to the arena, they have fun, they do their job. I think we just need maximum 100 people to make this fight. One arena and 100 healthy people around and put a couple cameras and show this around the world – the two best lightweights of all time. This is a very important fight.”

Randa Markos wonders if she has coronavirus

UFC strawweight Randa Markos returned home to Canada on Wednesday feeling ill. Markos lost a unanimous decision to Amanda Ribas Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 28, in Brasilia, Brazil. Now she is concerned about whether she has contracted the virus after testers declined to test her upon her return from South America (via Twitter).

The event was closed to fans after the local government put a moratorium on all mass gatherings due to the pandemic. Fighters on the card were not tested for COVID-19.

The Canadian federal government is requiring all who return to the country from international travel to quarantine for 14 days.