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The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) is looking to bring combat sports back into the mix in the coming months as the governing body has approved boxing and MMA events to return in accordance with new COVID-19 protocol, per a recent report by the Associated Press (via ESPN).
This decision may come as a surprise considering California Governor Gavin Newsom issued another round of shutdowns for the state earlier this month amidst growing COVID-19 cases. The shutdown included bars, indoor dining, and other non-essential businesses, but does not prohibit live events.
According to the AP report, CSAC has approved boxing and MMA events to return as long as all participants, including officials, remain in a “quarantine bubble” for the duration of the event. This is in line with what Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is already doing on “Fight Island,” and what many other sports organizations like the NBA are trying to do.
“This is a tremendous safety and mitigation strategy,” said NSAC head chair, John Carvelli, in an official statement earlier this week (via Boxingscene.com). “CSAC has developed tactics through this regulation that focus on prevention, testing, and, in the event of a positive COVID-19 test, isolation. CSAC is doing everything it can to ensure the likelihood of transmission is low.”
Remember, UFC was expected to host UFC 249 in the state of California back in April before Governor Newsom put a phone call into Disney and ESPN to have the plug pulled due to rising COVID-19 cases. As a result, UFC was forced to turn its attention on Florida in order to host events before Las Vegas and “Fight Island” eventually became options.
With California now back online boxing and MMA promotions alike can start planning events on the west coast. The decision by CSAC couldn’t have come at a better time as Las Vegas could be close to shutting its doors again.