New Delhi: With the recent announcement of UFC 249 going ahead despite the global COVID-19 pandemic and all events being cancelled or postponed, UFC President Dana White has been the centre of extreme and expected criticism. Sports federations, health experts and other promotions have been vocal in opposing the decision made by the UFC.
The general consensus is that the American promotion has tarnished the sport's image by deciding to go ahead with the event, a view that has been shared by BRAVE CF President Mohammed Shahid.
This is a complete contrast of how other promotions and worldwide sports organizations have handled the COVID-19 pandemic, and BRAVE CF is a prime example of positive campaigning.
BRAVE Combat Federation is the fastest-growing MMA organization on the globe, which has hosted three shows in India, two in Hyderabad and one in Mumbai, and has been extremely proactive in the fight against Coronavirus.
Sharif Mohammed Bapu, President of the National Federation, The MMA INDIA Federation, governing body of the sport of Mixed Martial Arts in India, also joined the same sentiment and made an official statement saying the following.
"Taking into consideration the global pandemic, the Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a complete lockdown until the 14th of April or further as precautionary measures. We as a federation have passed a resolution to all our state bodies and members to halt all events till normalcy returns. That same resolution is also applicable for the upcoming BRAVE CF event in June 2020; as we cannot risk fighter safety in accordance with our main aim as the Sanctioning Body."
Meanwhile, Aditya PS, President of the All India MMA Federation (AIMMAF) criticised the UFC for "shedding a dark light in the sport of MMA", by going against every global sports organization and putting lives in danger by continuing to put on shows.
"This pandemic has shown the best side of sports, but also the worst. It is very irresponsible for organizations to go through with events, exposing fighters, staff, basic workers and medical teams to each other when the best way to combat coronavirus is isolation. It is not what this sport is about, and it sheds a very dark light on mixed martial arts that the UFC is ignoring all worldwide health organizations' advice by moving on with UFC 249. Global organizations are leading by example on this matter, postponing or cancelling their prized events because they understand that human lives are at stake here. The image of the sports community is also being monitored by the entire world."
Finally, Daniel Isaac, head of the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Federation India, has responded directly to UFC president Dana White, calling him to "stop this stupid move".
