DeSantis, Florida Open 'Oasis of Freedom' With 100% Indoor Capacity for UFC 261

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joined UFC President Dana White to welcome the first major sold-out sporting event at an indoor arena in the U.S. 

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena — a multi-purpose arena in Jacksonville, Florida — has a capacity of up to 15,000, and White said last month the tickets sold out in minutes, marking one of the fastest sellouts in UFC history. 

“When this whole COVID thing started, I told you we would be first — I told you that we would figure out a way to get through this but to do that we had to have a place to go,” White said during Thursday’s press conference. “Florida was the leader in getting things open.” 

DeSantis referred to the state as an “oasis of freedom” and said it will be the first “full-throttle sporting event since COVID hit.”

White also added that he’s had monumental moments in his career and that this will be one of them. He said Saturday night isn’t just a big night for the three title fight contenders, but all of sports. 

“We showed in the beginning of the pandemic that things could be done safely and it can be done the right way, and now we’re showing that you can do it in closed venues and it can be done,” he said. 

UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman thanked White for the chance to fight in front of fans. 

“I’m glad to actually have the fans back to feel this energy from everybody,” Usman said. 

Usman, who is 18-1-0, will fight the No. 3 ranked UFC contender Jorge Masvidal for the second time. Masvidal is 35-14-0. 

On Monday, the UFC announced a partnership with CLEAR for a safer fan experience by requiring COVID-19 screenings before entry to the event. CLEAR’s Health Pass will be used to safely welcome fans back at UFC 261 in Jacksonville on Saturday, a news release reads. 

“Health Pass is a free, mobile experience by CLEAR that securely connects a user’s verified identity to multiple layers of COVID-19-related health information to help reduce public health risk,” the release reads. 

UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2 will be held in accordance with all health and safety protocols of the City of Jacksonville, and UFC encourages fans to wear face masks at the event.

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