CSAC: No decision made on UFC 311 as Los Angeles wildfires wreak havoc
Will UFC 311 go on as planned? That is the question with the first major event of the year just eight days away as Los Angeles endures a wildfire disaster the likes of which has never been seen in the area.
As of Friday, five fires, which started to burn Tuesday, were still active in Los Angeles County, with more than 36,000 acres – about 56 square miles, an area the size of Miami, according to Cal Fire – scorched. The blazes, accelerated by unprecedented Santa Ana winds that gusted between 80 and 100 mph, have destroyed more than 10,000 structures and prompted officials to order more than 150,000 residents to evacuate from their homes.
At least 10 people have died. The Palisades Fire, the largest of the blazes along the coast between Santa Monica and Malibu, has done the most damage, torching more than 20,000 acres. The fires were only starting to be contained Friday after winds died down, although officials have warned high winds soon could return.
Given the crisis in the region, it’s a wonder if UFC 311 will still take place next Saturday, Jan. 18, at Intuit Dome in nearby Inglewood, Calif. On Thursday, the NFL made the decision to move Monday’s playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, slated to be played at SoFi Stadium across the street from Intuit Dome, to the Arizona Cardinals’ stadium in Glendale “in the interest of public safety.”
Could the UFC follow in the NFL’s footsteps?
A general overall view of the Intuit Dome exterior. (Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
In a statement to MMA reporter Chisanga Malata, the California State Athletic Commission said “no decisions have been made” while it continues to monitor the situation with the UFC.
“We are watching the ongoing wildfires and the subsequent emergency and disaster response in the Los Angeles area,” the CSAC’s statement read. “Our hearts are with the residents of the region, and we appreciate the efforts of first responders in keeping the community safe. At this time, no decisions have been made about moving UFC 311, but we will continue to work with state and local officials and the UFC to determine the best course of action.”
The UFC hadn’t issued a public comment on the situation as of Friday afternoon.
Earlier Friday, “The Ariel Helwani Show” host Ariel Helwani tweeted that the UFC “has had talks” about the status of UFC 311, adding that Las Vegas would be the frontrunner to host the event. If UFC 311 was moved to Las Vegas, the UFC could host it at the UFC Apex or T-Mobile Arena, which is free.
UFC 311 (ESPN+ pay-per-view) is headlined by two title fights. In the main event, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev puts his belt on the line in a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan. In the co-headliner, Merab Dvalishvili will attempt the first defense of his bantamweight crown against undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.