UFC postpones next 3 events beginning with UFC on ESPN+ 29

The COVID-19 Coronavirus has struck the UFC once again.

President Dana White initially declared UFC on ESPN+ 29  would be relocated due to the travel restrictions imposed by the U.K. But now, the company has been forced to postpone its next three events, UFC on ESPN+ 29, Columbus’ UFC on ESPN 8, and Portland’s UFC on ESPN+ 30 as well.

The main event of UFC on ESPN+ 29 has been lost as well. Leon Edwards, who was originally supposed to face Tyron Woodley, is out.

Edwards took to Instagam to announce his withdrawal. He is also not traveling out of the U.K. at this time, so a possible rebooking of the fight elsewhere seems remote.

View this post on Instagram

Last night I went to sleep still with some hope that UFC London would continue next week.  I woke up this morning to the news that it won't be.  We have been working with the UFC on possible solutions to keep the fight alive, but unfortunately with such a short window of time, nothing was viable.  Myself and my team are all fathers, husbands, sons and brothers, and not all of us can leave our families right now.  I wish we could have found a way for the fans, I truly do. I have been dreaming of headlining a UFC show in my home country since I started this sport.  This cancellation is truly heartbreaking.  I have never worked harder and never been more prepared for the biggest moment in my career.  But I know that the whole world is hurting right now and this is bigger than me, this is bigger than sports.  All I can hope for is  that all of you stay safe and look after each other as we get past this and move forward. I am humbled by the thousands of messages of support I have received in the hours since the announcement, I truly appreciate you all and feel a lot of love right now.  I look forward to this event being rebooked when it is safe to do so, so Tyron and I can put on the show that you all deserve. Please take care, we will all get through is. Rocky

A post shared by Leon "Rocky" Edwards (@leon_edwardsmma) on Mar 15, 2020 at 11:27am PDT

ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani shared some information from Woodley regarding Colby Covington, who apparently volunteered on six days short notice as a possible replacement for Edwards.

Woodley said Covington was joking about fighting him.

Colby all cap 🧢 pic.twitter.com/Eu8jTxklNN

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) March 15, 2020

Tyron Woodley just posted this on my IG regarding Colby Covington. However, Covington is very much in play, I’m told. https://t.co/EYesEOABk0 pic.twitter.com/loFlGdKQQM

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 15, 2020

The UFC has not yet confirmed a replacement for the bout and is expected to clarify the situation as more information develops.

@kenaiandrews