In celebration of the UFC’s 30th anniversary, we look back on the historical UFC 251 event that trail-blazed the start of the UFC’s …
the virus represents an international Public Health Emergency the NBA suspends the season after a player tested positive countless sporting events either postponed or canceled because of the virus I didn’t want to stop yeah I would I would rather die then watch this thing tank there’s never been anything like this we are all Witnesses tonight the woman who shot the world you do not want to miss this ladies and gentlemen USC history in 2020 a year unlike any other in modern history as the sports world was gripped in uncertainty and Frozen by the global pandemic a select few searched for Solutions Dana put together an execution plan to put on Live Events again and the whole world was Wasing while we were doing it I’m the president of this company I have 350 people people who have families then I have over 600 Fighters hundreds of of contractors who depend on me shadowed in secrecy cloaked in Mystique the Combat Sports Leader found a place and called it fight Island when we thought of Yas Island we never look back when Dana said he needs an oxagen on the beach this wasn’t commitment that Abu Dhabi wanted to take and the word impossible was not in our dictionary we had to work with over 20 entities from from around the ababi ecosystem in order to create this co-free bubble there was a specific guideline and a set of procedures that everybody had to go through in order to achieve this bubble the promotion is undeterred and the plan is put in place Cutting Edge science meticulous detail unprecedented precautions all to ensure the saf safy of those coming to the a you can definitely tell them taking every precaution like all this was thror together in what literally months and you can see that no expense was SP spared as far as making sure that we’re safe all these people taking their time to do this it’s like we’re in space it’s like history you ifc’s making history I don’t know how B pulled us off but he did an undertaking like fight island is Monumental the public is unaware of the behind the scenes drama before UFC 251 just one day before the live event production and operation crews are scrambling this scenario is atypical to say the least man I can’t wait get this behind us and get it in our back pocket how close are we how close to getting ready uh it I mean it’s a lot of it’s a lot of work in the new Co era keeping everyone spread out is important and as you can see we don’t have a ton of space in this venue so getting all of our needs jammed into that that small space is is really the the most important thing right now there’s no mobile unit here no TV truck such a massive event with the all the operational uh elements coming together was a challenge it’s going to be a long one toight I can feel it after a harrowing few days it is a welcome relief when the face offs finally arrived there are five fights on the main card including no fewer than three Championship bouts and the man around whom the card was built had a chance to make history yeah good luck tomorrow you too I’ve been doing this for a long time I’ve never been more proud to be a part of the sport than I am right now I mean I don’t know if you guys feel it yet when you feel a big fight this is is as big as it gets it’s it’s massive I don’t care where you sit on this card if you’re in the main event or you’re in the prelims tomorrow night’s your night go out there and give them something to talk about have a great night good luck all right thank [Applause] [Music] you and now live from UFC fight [Music] Island time so excited to have you with us tonight for UFC 251 I’m John an a knee to the body for heos oh look at high amplitude taked down early for heos we’ll see what she can do somebody’s cut it’s Paige watch out for the arm bar it’s locked in almost she’s just going to straighten the hips and extend the arm a night at the [Music] office huge right for nunis oh that oh nice shot from andr e a knee oh nice knee to the face man she knows she’s behind on the score card she’s trying to get the finish in round three oh and a right hand from onra those girls are throwing some heat Boye for these twoes and the strawweight division deepest division in women’s MMA pug Rose oh oh Jose Al painted with blood doubt he’s hurt Al the defend heavy shot and that’ll do it P is an Undisputed world champion at 27 he has the combination has the pace nice right hand froming him there oh Jesus Christ these two are going this fight isn’t over yet a higher Pace here much higher output from Bovi trying to get the Tak down trying to steal this fight trying to claw it away from the judges this is probably bov’s round incredible those men have fought nearly an hour and still the UND BOS vial is in the red trunks Kamal rman in the black and gold look at the speed has SL wow big take Down’s a much bigger stronger more powerful man there’s still fight left in this dog and M took a lot of punishment that [Music] round but for much of the fight Kamar Usman at his suffocating best okay kid oh great fight kid was a great tonight belongs to Camaro Usman the Nigerian Nightmare and the welterweight champion of the world kamaru usid indeed establishes himself as one of the best in the world but the night’s biggest winner quite possibly was the UFC as a whole UFC 251 was successful in every way shape and form an event can be successful from the minute we announced it till the minute it was over it was a huge success it was a pleasure an honor to work with you thank you very much for everything you’ve done thanks for all the help accommodation understanding patience all of it have a safe flight I’ll see you peace I’m out F Island see you again it’s a crazy story the collective desire and willingness to maintain operations and flow was pivotal and at a critical time for the UFC a company that on that faithful night pioneered a new standard for live events in a rapidly evolving world [Music] climate