AP Story: Blood, sweat and swabs: UFC seeks safe shows in pandemic
Share:
by Greg Beacham, Associated Press
Photo of Henry Cejudo from UFC.com, taken by Getty Images.
Even before they check in to the hotel, every fighter, coach, cameraman, journalist and UFC employee arriving in Jacksonville, Florida, is immediately directed to a screening station. Their temperatures are taken, and their fingers are pricked for a coronavirus antibody test.
And then comes the part that reduces even the world’s most fearsome cage fighters to squirming schoolchildren: a long swab is pushed deep into the back of their nasal cavities.
“That thing in the nose, that was the second time I did it, and it wasn’t good at all,” laughed 6-foot-4, 255-pound Francis Ngannou, who will fight fellow heavyweight title contender Jair Rozenstruik on the main card at UFC 249 on Saturday night.
“It’s too weird. I think I’d rather take a punch than take that.”
The UFC is returning to action this weekend after an involuntary eight-week pause while the coronavirus pandemic upended President Dana White’s determination to keep fighting amid a devastating public health crisis. The mixed martial arts promotion is holding three shows in eight days in a fan-free arena in Florida, where state officials were willing to allow it.
Click for full AP story (in Washington Post)
Even before they check in to the hotel, every fighter, coach, cameraman, journalist and UFC employee arriving in Jacksonville, Florida, is immediately directed to a screening station. Their temperatures are taken, and their fingers are pricked for a coronavirus antibody test.
And then comes the part that reduces even the world’s most fearsome cage fighters to squirming schoolchildren: a long swab is pushed deep into the back of their nasal cavities.
“That thing in the nose, that was the second time I did it, and it wasn’t good at all,” laughed 6-foot-4, 255-pound Francis Ngannou, who will fight fellow heavyweight title contender Jair Rozenstruik on the main card at UFC 249 on Saturday night.
“It’s too weird. I think I’d rather take a punch than take that.”
The UFC is returning to action this weekend after an involuntary eight-week pause while the coronavirus pandemic upended President Dana White’s determination to keep fighting amid a devastating public health crisis. The mixed martial arts promotion is holding three shows in eight days in a fan-free arena in Florida, where state officials were willing to allow it.
Click for full AP story (in Washington Post)
Read More#
2021-22 USA Wrestling membership season underway; Join now to become eligible for $100 from Nike Wrestling
Talented and motivated individuals sought to serve on USA Wrestling’s ad-hoc Diversity and ...
Reminder: Elections to be held for USA Wrestling Board of Directors At Large and Standing C...
USA Wrestling adds a Wrestling Trivia game to its Game Room in its membership system
