UFC 311 Faces Potential Relocation Due to California Wildfires

UFC 311, scheduled for January 18 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., may be relocated due to the ongoing California wildfires. The event, headlined by a lightweight title fight between Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev, is under review as wildfires continue to devastate the region.

According to combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani, the UFC has discussed contingency plans, including moving the event to Las Vegas. The NFL has already relocated a playoff game from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to Glendale, Ariz., due to the wildfires. UFC officials are monitoring the situation and are prepared to move the card if necessary, with Las Vegas being the likely alternative.

Fighters on the card would face minimal disruption, as Las Vegas is a short flight from Los Angeles and home to the UFC Performance Institute. However, fans who purchased tickets for the Inglewood event may face challenges, as refunds or transfers would need to be arranged.

UFC President Dana White has pledged support for wildfire relief efforts, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to the affected communities. The UFC hopes to provide a positive distraction for fans amid the ongoing crisis.

UFC 311 features a highly anticipated lightweight title bout between Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) and Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC). Tsarukyan, who lost to Makhachev in his UFC debut in 2019, is eager to avenge that defeat and claim the title. The event also includes a featherweight clash between reigning champion Ilia Topuria and a yet-to-be-named opponent.

As the wildfires continue to impact Southern California, the UFC remains committed to delivering a high-quality event while prioritizing the safety and well-being of fans and fighters.