UFC commentator Jon Anik is feeling confident that UFC 249 will go ahead as planned on May 9th in Florida, and he has confirmed he will be in the broadcast booth for the occasion.
“I do think we’re going to have a show on May 9,” Anik told MMA Junkie. “I feel pretty convicted in that. I would say a 9/10 (odds it happens), if you will. I live in Florida, so those reports aren’t bothering me any. Big picture, I think it’s just about getting the staff and the fighters to wherever this location is. I feel like if any company can do it (the UFC can). I feel like all their ducks are in a row. May 9 can’t come soon enough so we can prove we can do a show safely and healthy and come out the other side.”
Anik then went on to elaborate on his own decision to attend the event and some of the precautions he and others will be taking to ensure everyone’s health and safety as best they can.
“I’m working May 9th. I will be there and depending on where it is, I’ll either drive or fly and find a way. I have a lot of respect for the virus. I’ve heard from a lot of respiratory therapists privately and publicly, and I have a lot of respect for the medical community and the virus. But at some point us in the live event business, we’re going to have to rip off the BAND-AID and go back to work. Especially when the executives, Dana White being chief among them, are putting themselves in a position to try to get back.
“You can be sure we will be masked and gloved almost right up until showtime until we’re spitting commentary in the direction of the fighters or whatever we’re doing. We’ll be taking a lot of precautions obviously, and I’m sure the questions we have now will be answered leading up to May 9.”
