Summary
- UFC Fight Night 211 takes place at the UFC Apex Center on 01 Oct
- UFC has announced that no media or fans will be allowed into the Apex
- This is a strange decision that the UFC is yet to shed any light on
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) experienced tremendous growth in its fan base during the COVID-19 pandemic as the UFC continued to host fight cards as its UFC Apex Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The UFC did not allow fans for most of the pandemic into the Apex Center but did allow media to cover the events.
This is why both fans and media are surprised to learn that the UFC has suddenly decided to ban them both from attending UFC Fight Night 211 at the Apex Center. UFC Fight Night 211 will be headlined by a women’s strawweight bout between Brazilian BJJ ace McKenzie Dern and Chinese fighter Yan Xiaonan.
The UFC made informed the media and fans that UFC Fight Night 211 will be a closed door event but did not specify the reason as to why this decision was made. The media were told that they will have access to all the fighters on this card and will be allowed to interview them on Sep 28. They will also be allowed to be part of the official weigh-ins which takes place on Oct 30.
The UFC Apex Center has very limited seating capacity but it has always been open to the media during Fight Cards. With no COVID-19 restrictions in place anymore, its strange to see the UFC make this announcement and not provide a reason for doing so.
A number of MMA media outlets that are used to being a part of UFC Fight Cards at the Apex Center expressed concern over the sudden ban and wondered if this was only for UFC Fight Night 211 or if this was something on-going. MMA media outlets expect the UFC to provide more information on their decision in the next couple of days.
MMA Mania said that by banning media from the Apex, the promoting was doing an injustice to the fighters on UFC Fight Night 211 as the winners will not get to be a part of the post scrum interview process and will not get the limelight they deserve.
If you wish to bet on the main event – latest odds courtesy of BetOnline:
Women’s Strawweight: Mackenzie Dern (-232) vs. Yan Xiaonan (+197)
Welterweight: Francisco Trinaldo (+270) vs. Randy Brown (-320)
Bantamweight: Raoni Barcelos (-220) vs. Trevin Jones (+185)
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