Dana White: Media trying to sabotage UFC running during pandemic

UFC boss Dana White isn't pleased with the coverage certain media members have given the promotion after it returned to action amid the coronavirus pandemic, albeit without fans in attendance, with a trio of shows held at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida from May 9 through May 16.

While speaking on the Fox News program "Hannity" on Monday evening, White ripped a New York Times report that claimed the organization violated its safety protocol during the UFC 249 pay-per-view event that occurred on May 9:

(You can watch the latest video at foxnews.com.)

"We were trying to figure out solutions to the problems and, how do you bring sports back safely, and health and safety is an issue for us," White said on the program.

"When we were leading up to these events, we had so many, you know, New York Times and so many other media people trying to sabotage the events so that it couldn't happen."

I mean, this guy just got in The New York Times, interviewed the president of ESPN, Jimmy Pitaro, for 45 minutes, wasted 45 minutes of his time and never used one of his quotes. You know why? Because they were positive." 

White also echoed comments he gave to TMZ Sports earlier this month and said he doesn't know when fans will be welcomed back to events such as UFC shows.

"You know, we're going to end up living in a world where you're going to have to sign a waiver to go to a sporting event and, you know, and say, 'Hey, I know that, you know, the COVID-19 virus is out there and, you know, I'm going to take the risk and go to the sporting event."

On Tuesday morning, outlets such as ESPN confirmed Tyron Woodley will battle Gilbert Burns in the main event of a show scheduled for May 30.

That "Fight Night" may occur in Las Vegas or Arizona.