Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Stephen Espinoza says he isn’t going to follow in Dana White’s footsteps.
Dana White has been bullish about trying to host a UFC event during a pandemic. Pretty much all the other sports organizations have cancelled, but despite all the health risks involved, it seems like a personal — and almost obsessive — goal for the UFC President to accomplish.
According to ESPN’s Steve Kim, if White is successful in hosting an event amid this coronavirus pandemic, other combat sports promoters might do the same. Showtime executive Stephen Espinoza though, claims that will never happen under his watch.
Hard pass. I won’t be following his lead on these matters. https://t.co/JViOVUs3BB
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) April 4, 2020
Espinoza, who has clashed with Dana White in the past, is known for overseeing Showtime’s boxing business. After the recent merger between Viacom and CBS though, Bellator and Scott Coker now reportedly reports under Espinoza as well.
Bellator was one of the first MMA organizations to cancel their shows during the pandemic, and have quickly compensated their fighters as well. While White is trying to host UFC 249 in April, Bellator has already announced the postponement of all their events in May.