Association of Ringside Physicians Changes Stance on Combat Sports Events

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The Association of Ringside Physicians has relaxed its stance regarding the staging of combat sports events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Saturday, the ARP released a revised statement where it concedes that fight cards will be held with new guidelines in place to combat the spread of the disease. The update comes as social distancing restrictions and shelter-in-place orders have been relaxed in some parts of the United States. The UFC will hold its first event since March 14 when it travels to Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday. Florida has deemed professional sports an essential service in the state, which cleared the way for the Las Vegas-based promotion to stage events there with athletic commission regulation.

“Although it is impossible to eliminate all risk associated with COVID-19, precautions can be made to reduce the risk of viral transmission,” reads the ARP statement. “Many athletic commissions, organizations and promotors are developing new guidelines to limit exposure to all involved at events, including athletes, their teams, commission personnel and support staff.”

The UFC recently unveiled new protocols for UFC 249 on May 9, UFC Fight Night 171 on May 13 and UFC Fight Night 172 on May 16 – all of which will be held at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. The only people allowed at the venue will be fighters, licensed cornermen, UFC staff and commission officials, and fighters and their teams will be subject to “mandatory medical screening process and tests” upon their arrival at the host hotel. Fighters will also be required to undergo additional medical screenings each time they return to the hotel. The exact nature of the testing is currently unknown, including if the fighters will be specifically tested for coronavirus.

Last month, the ARP recommended that all combat sports events be postponed indefinitely, claiming that “Any combat sport taking place during this global pandemic places the athletes, officials, and anyone else involved in the event under unnecessary risk of infection and transmission of COVID-19.”

The UFC made an attempt to hold UFC 249 on tribal land in Lemoore, Calif., on April 18 in order to circumvent government restrictions, but those efforts were ultimately denied when Disney and ESPN executives requested that promotion president Dana White not follow through with his plans.

Meanwhile, Bellator MMA has postponed its schedule through June, but is reportedly exploring the possibility of holding events in a closed studio environment by July. Professional Fighters League postponed its entire 2020 season, while One Championship has postponed all events through May. The majority of all other MMA organizations have indefinitely suspended or canceled their upcoming events, as well.

The full ARP statement is as follows:

The Association of Ringside Physicians recognizes that the circumstances regarding the COVID-19 pandemic are continually changing and evolving. As stay-at-home orders are relaxed, athletic commissions and combat sports governing bodies are looking to restart operations.

Although it is impossible to eliminate all risk associated with COVID-19, precautions can be made to reduce the risk of viral transmission. Many athletic commissions, organizations and promotors are developing new guidelines to limit exposure to all involved at events, including athletes, their teams, commission personnel and support staff.

Combat sports event procedures regarding COVID-19 precautions should be actively developed, regularly reviewed and modified based on the evolving knowledge and scientific evidence put forth by public health authorities. These guidelines should also involve local and regional public health officials as well as infectious disease experts and epidemiologists.

Our thoughts continue to be with those who have been and will be affected by this disease. We remain steadfast in our mission to serve, protect and educate all involved in combat sports. If any combat sports organization would like help in developing its guidelines, the Association of Ringside Physicians can provide assistance and guidance.