After consulting with government officials, the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulations, Twin River Casino Hotel and UFC FIGHT PASS®, CES MMA has decided to postpone its scheduled April 24, 2020 event, CES MMA 61, at the Twin River Event Center #CESMMA #ThisIsCES pic.twitter.com/etkfqBXtaL
— CES MMA (@CESMMA) March 19, 2020
The coronavirus is waging war on the MMA landscape, and three more promotions have elected to fight another day.
A press release on Friday from CES MMA wrote that the organization will be postponing its CES 61 event on April 24. In consultation with government and health officials, as well as the venue and even UFC Fight Pass, the promotion did not feel comfortable scheduling fighters to compete in a month.
CES MMA COO Jimmy Birchfield Jr. stated that he was uncertain if normal operations could return within five to six weeks. He wrote, “Asking our fighters to prepare to compete knowing there is a great chance the event will not take place would be unfair and, most importantly, unhealthy. This adversity will pass, and CES MMA will return in 2020 greater than ever. Until then, we ask all of our fighters and fans to take caution, exercise common sense and stay safe.”
In addition to the Rhode Island-based organization, two from Brazil have decided they would better to hold off running fight cards until the virus is dealt with. Reversing the position that Jungle Fight President Wallid Ismail held just days prior, Ag Fight first reported on Wednesday that the Jungle Fight 103 card on March 21 would not proceed as scheduled.
MMA Fighting also reported on Thursday that Shooto Brazil would no longer be holding events for the foreseeable future. The next event was set to take place on April 24, and it and all future events yet to be announced have been suspended indefinitely.
These organizations join the litany of others including the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bellator MMA that have been forced to scrap cards shortly before taking place. In addition to the MMA community, practically all major sporting leagues from the NBA to the NHL to pro boxing have shuttered their events out of concerns for the coronavirus.
The sole remaining noteworthy MMA event that will take place this weekend is Cage Warriors 113, which will go down on Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT/6:30 p.m. UK on UFC Fight Pass. The card will be headlined by a bout transplanted from UFC London, at middleweight between Darren Stewart and Bartosz Fabinski. Additionally, the undefeated Mason Jones will square off against Joe McColgan for the vacant lightweight strap.