A number of combat sporting events around the country have either been postponed or cancelled in the last week however despite stricter government regulations being put in place early on Wednesday, some are determined to proceed, with or without a crowd.
North Queensland MMA promotion Beast Championship will be proceeding with the event capped at 350 people in Gladstone on Saturday night. The government introduced laws banning any non-essential indoor gatherings over 100. Fight News Australia understands that the promotion has been given the green-light to proceed with a mixed indoor/outdoor venue. Medics will also be taking temperature measurements of attendees and anyone with a temperature will be prohibited from entering the venue. Headliner Paul Franchi has chosen not to travel due to safety concerns and will be replaced by Brett Jacobsen.
Brisbane based XFC hs chosen to proceed but only the fighters, coaches, officials and certain media will be in attendance. The remainder will have to catch the event via a live stream on March 28. The promotion had originally hoped to limit the crowd to under 500 and will be offering credit to all guests who wish to avoid the event. The credit will be able to be used at an XFC event later in the year.
UPDATE 25 March 2020 – Ongoing further restrictions has now forced XFC to cancel their forthcoming event.
Sydney’s Superfight MMA was scheduled to run with a crowd under 500 but further restrictions forced the promotion to cancel this Friday’s event. Full refunds are being provided via the online ticket operator Ticketebo.
Boxing has not gone unscathed with the Jeff Horn vs Tim Tszyu superfight cancelled only days after tickets went on sale. The fight was scheduled for April 22, however, the promoters are not taking any chances, choosing to reschedule the bout to a new date which will be confirmed in due course. The event will remain on the Townsville.
International fights for the likes of Zac Dunn, Lucas Browne, Andrew Moloney and Jason Moloney have all be called off, as has the National Boxing Series card scheduled for this weekend.
Among other events cancelled include Demolition Fight Series and Warriors Way Muay Thai. Also in serious risk of being cancelled is the UFC 251 card scheduled for Perth in June.
It will be a light schedule for sports fans in general for the next few months as the world battles what, for many of us, is an unprecedented event.
