Newspaper Leads With Covid Fear Porn Surrounding UFC Event

At least 15,000 people are willing to participate in multiple layers of COVID-19 health screening questions to attend a live sporting event again, specifically the first sold-out, major sporting event with full capacity at an indoor arena.

That is one way a local Las Vegas news article could have written its lead, but instead, the Las Vegas Review-Journal pulled one line from the legal jargon on the UFC Events Terms page.

The article also failed to mention any safety precautions the event or host site has in place.

"At least 15,000 people are willing to risk permanent damage or death to attend a live sporting event again," the Las Vegas Review-Journal wrote.

UFC 261 sold out its 15,000-tickets capacity in record time last month — marking the first 100% capacity indoor event in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic.

UFC President Dana White highlighted the organization's efforts and sent a message to the news outlet in an Instagram post on Saturday.

"Hey Las Vegas, this is our piece of shit local newspaper," White said. "Through this entire pandemic we didn't lay off a single employee, we worked with governmental agencies in Nevada and around the world to put on every event safely, and we chose to bring our biggest fight of the year with Conor McGregor back to town July 10th to help relaunch the city. Yet, this is how the Las Vegas Review Journal shows its support for a true local business. Go fuck yourself LVRJ, and don't bother coming to the fight in July."

During a Thursday press conference, White said 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. 

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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To celebrate the return of events at 100% capacity indoors, OutKick made "Oasis of Freedom" shirts — get yours now: