Dana White could be forced to change his upcoming UFC plans, after the US mandated that travellers had to show proof of vaccination.
UFC managed to keep going throughout the pandemic, holding a lot of fight cards with no fans, and are once again thriving with the return of fans in America.
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The company has had some issues with running in New York, with the city also wanting those competing in live events to be jabbed in order to perform.
However they could have more problems, with foreign travellers to the US now required to be vaccinated, when international travel returns next month.
White has previously said that he wouldn't demand his athletes get a vaccination, and reiterated that stance in a letter sent out to them this week.
"Foreign national air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of their vaccination status to fly to the United States," UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell said in a memo seen by MMAJunkie.
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"Fully vaccinated travelers will also be required to show a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of travel prior to boarding their flight.
"This policy also applies to foreign nationals crossing the land borders with Canada and Mexico or arriving in the United States by passenger ferry.
"To be clear, this is NOT a UFC policy.
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"UFC is not requiring you to get vaccinated. We are simply communicating the new guidelines recently announced by the U.S. government."
The note then advised fighters to try and make arrangements to travel to America before the restrictions kick into place on November 8th.
The other way fighters can avoid issues is by getting the vaccine, but anyone fighting in November wouldn't have much time to do so.
From a British point of view, fans will be hoping that Leon Edwards is vaccinated or has time to do so before his meeting with Jorge Masvidal in December.
However, long term fans don't need to worry too much about how they'll be able to see their favourite fighters, because White has a plan.
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The 52-year-old intrigued everyone at the beginning of the pandemic when he claimed he had an island for his fights. It of course ended up being Abu Dhabi, that was dubbed Fight Island, and White is expecting to return there again in the face of new restrictions in the US.
"I’ve been telling you guys through this whole thing," the UFC president told reporters following Dana White's Contender's Series 44 on Tuesday.
"You’re like, ‘Hey, what about this, what about that?’ I said I have no idea how all this nuttiness is going to play out, but here we go. I don’t know.
"I think ‘Fight Island’ is going to be hopping again. Yeah, we’re looking to do more events [there].
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"I’m going to Abu Dhabi next Wednesday, so I have a lot of meetings out there. I’ve been dying to walk you guys through what’s been going on in Abu Dhabi anyways, so this trip I’ll get everything done, buttoned up and finished."
UFC are returning to the Middle East for UFC 267 at the end of this month, with light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowski defending his title against Glover Teixeira headlining.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: UFC, MMA, Dana White