UFC 249: Bob Arum criticises ‘cowboy’ Dana White for pressing on with plans to fight

The UFC is set to return next weekend with Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje headlining a card that will be held without fans

Bob Arum has criticised Dana White and labelled the UFC president’s decision to press on with plans to continue fighting as “cowboy" behaviour.

The UFC is set to return next weekend with Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje headlining a card in Florida that will be held behind closed doors without fans.

That only comes after moves to hold UFC 249 at its original location in New York and on a secret ‘fight island’ were blocked.

Veteran promoter Arum isn’t thinking about putting on boxing events until June at the absolute earliest and pointed to the actions of other American sports as guidance White should be following.

“We're only gonna do this if it's safe for the fighters and everyone involved, and if it's approved by the medical authorities,” he told BoxingScene.

“We're not gonna be cowboys, like Dana White. I don't wanna get politics involved, but I have really very little respect for Dana and what he's doing.

“I think the behaviour of people in sports we should be following are Adam Silver of the NBA, Roger Goodell of the NFL, people who are proceeding cautiously and safely, not people who are acting like cowboys.”