International fighters hoping to compete in the Ultimate Fighting
Championship will face a new hurdle beginning next month.
While the UFC does not require any of the athletes in the
organization to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, the Las Vegas-based
promotion will adhere to the policy from the United States
government that
requires all travlers from abroad to have proof of vaccination
beginning on Nov. 8. UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell
sent out a memo to fighters, coaches and managers providing notice
that the policy will affect international fighters traveling to the
U.S. for fight cards beginning on that date.
“Recently the U.S. government announced that beginning on November
8, foreign national air travelers to the United States will be
required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of their
vaccination status to fly to the United States,” the memo states.
“Fully vaccinated travelers will also be required to show a
pre-departure negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of
travel prior to boarding their flight.
“This policy also applies to foreign nationals crossing the land
borders with Canada and Mexico or arriving in the United States by
passenger ferry. To be clear, this is NOT a UFC policy. UFC is not
requiring you to get vaccinated. We are simply communicating the
new guidelines recently announced by the U.S. government.”
With the majority of the UFC’s events still taking place at its UFC
Apex facility in Las Vegas, Campbell mentioned a potential
alternative solution for fighters looking to work around the
updated vaccine policy.
“You should consider your options, such as traveling to the United
States before this new U.S. government policy takes effect, or if
you choose, make arrangements to take the appropriate vaccination,”
the memo states.
“Starting on Nov. 8, in order to be admitted into the United
States, all foreign nationals arriving from international
destinations must be vaccinated by one of the WHO approved
vaccines. Those who are not vaccinated will not be permitted to
enter the U.S.”
The memo adds that those hoping to travel to the U.S. prior to Nov.
8 must have a waiver if arriving from a restricted country. As it
currently stands, the only international event booked by the
promotion is UFC 267, which will take place in Abu Dhabi on Oct.
30. The UFC has traveled within the U.S. for other pay-per-view
shows but has stayed at the UFC Apex for Fight Night events. It
hasn’t had a normal international slate since before the pandemic
began. The promotion’s first event with the new policy taking
effect will be UFC 268, which is set for Madison Square Garden in
New York on Nov. 8.