The UFC returned to action on Saturday night, with fighters on the card and those watching at home making the best of current circumstances, each sharing their appreciation of the action in the Octagon.
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, played host to UFC 249, the first major sporting event in the United States since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. There were no spectators in the arena, with only fighters, cornermen, broadcasters, members of the media and UFC staff allowed near the Octagon.
The lack of crowd noise didn’t seem to take away from the viewing experience, as fighters and fans took to social media to show their support of the event.
All these people talking about how hard it would be to fight in an empty arena, have obviously never been the first fight on the Early Prelims! #SameSame #UFC249
— Chas Skelly (@ChasSkelly) May 9, 2020
We Back Baby!!! #UFC249
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) May 9, 2020
THE FIGHTS ARE ON!!!! #ufc249
— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) May 9, 2020
Excited about the @ufc fights being back!!! Who else is tuning in for #UFC249 What are your picks?! Stay safe and Healthy Everyone!! Xoxo -TheFuture
— Maycee Barber (@MayceeBarber) May 9, 2020
This is going to be a very special night. Thank you to all the fighters competing at #UFC249
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) May 9, 2020
Punching never sounded so good
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 9, 2020
So excited to watch some fights ! Lets go @ufc !!!! pic.twitter.com/Zk5kZoLr3H
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) May 9, 2020
We live baby!!!!! #UFC249
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) May 9, 2020
So excited to see these fights go down tonight. Feels like a light at the end of the tunnel #UFC249
— Randa Markos (@randamma) May 9, 2020
Pumped for #UFC249! Crazier to think it could’ve also been me going on tonight – just 4 more weeks until I get my hand raised at #UFC250 🤜. Let’s go @ufc !
— Felicia The FeeNom Spencer (@FeeNom479) May 9, 2020
Yes fights!!! Thank you @danawhite @ufc team 🙏🏻
— Marlon Moraes (@MMARLONMORAES) May 9, 2020
Time to watch @ufc #UFC249 ready for these WAR’s! Let’s go @Justin_Gaethje – straight beast! 👊
— Aspen Ladd (@AspenLaddMMA) May 9, 2020
So good to see that the Octagon is back. 👊💪😍 #UFC249
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) May 9, 2020
Pumped for these fights… Can’t wait for next week! @ufc #UFCJax
— Walt Harris (@thebigticket205) May 9, 2020
Its been too long since I watched some violence 😅 so excited for #UFC249
— Gillian Robertson (@savage_ufc) May 9, 2020
Aye guys watching mma is pretty fun i completely forgot #UFC249 🤣
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) May 9, 2020