MMA: fights in France, pandemic, Trump ... the confidences of the boss of the UFC

"The UFC is a war machine" warns Fernand Lopez, the "Mr. MMA" in France.

The most powerful world federation of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) thought to organize its first meetings in France at the end of 2020 after the legalization of fights in France.

But the pandemic has shaken up plans and delayed the landing of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) machine in our country.

Opulent, popular all over the world with the best fighters on the planet in her wallet, she intends to settle down in 2021 in our country as confirmed to us remotely and exclusively by one of her two bosses, Lawrence Epstein.

How is a powerful US sports league like yours weathering the health crisis?

LAWRENCE EPSTEIN.

I just went through, on a personal level, the strangest year of my 20-plus-year UFC career.

We would never have thought, and I speak for people all over the world, that we could experience such a thing in our lifetime and for what concerns us, an interruption of competitions.

You were the first in the world in the spring to return to sports competitions, not just MMA.

Why ?

It was incredibly important for us to be the first, in all sports, to resume our competitions.

We did it of course in a sanitary bubble and behind closed doors.

But from the moment we were asked to stay at home, we had only one ambition: to return to the fight to show that we are leaders in our field.

Did you really follow all the sanitary rules?

Of course.

Since the start of the pandemic, we have performed hundreds and hundreds of tests and less than 1% have tested positive, 0.9% to be exact.

By comparison, the NBA is very proud to announce that it only has an 8.8% positivity rate.

Obviously, we will continue to be vigilant.

We do not consider the fight against this virus to be won.

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MMA, what legalization will change

What is MMA without an audience?

We have been forced to submit to it like all sports in 2020. But it is not a pleasant situation for a sport which feeds on the atmosphere of the public like ours.

We hope that viewers will be able to return to our theaters in the second half of 2021. It is not just up to us: the evolution of the pandemic will dictate it.

But we are calling for it.

Like everyone else, I think ...

Your co-chair Dana White is a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, one of the few in sport.

Does the UFC support him?

No, obviously.

With us, all political and religious sensibilities are accepted, everyone is free of their convictions and opinions.

The UFC is an apolitical league that takes a stand for no one and whose only vocation is to organize sports events and fights.

On the other hand, we do not prevent anyone from having their own political orientations.

As for Dana White's support, it is purely personal and the result of a long friendship that goes back more than 20 years between him and Donald Trump.

She's only hiring him and not the UFC.

If you don't know, now you know. @ BlessedMMA vs @CalvinKattar is LIVE and FREE on @ABCNetwork and @ espn + Saturday at 3pm ET # UFCFightIsland7 #InAbuDhabi @visitabudhabi pic.twitter.com/Ty0kmwuHsz

- danawhite (@danawhite) January 12, 2021

What did you think of the footage from the Capitol invasion?

It was sad, disappointing, something we never wanted to see.

People died (

Editor's note: five people died

) and it's terrible.

It was a frightening moment that we can only condemn.

When will the UFC hold its first meeting in France?

Before the start of the epidemic we had planned to come by the end of 2020. Obviously the virus has called everything into question.

I can assure you that as soon as the opportunity arises, as soon as Covid-19 allows us to do so, the UFC will come to France.

I hope it will be as soon as possible.

I personally love France, I really want to come to you and the UFC is also very keen because it's a very important market for us.

We are optimistic that this will be possible before the end of this year 2021. We are very excited about this idea.

Is France working in the right direction for the development of MMA?

Definitely!

France has taken matters into its own hands to recognize our sport.

Each country has done it in its own way but France has worked for the good of MMA and I am delighted.

Televisions now have the right to broadcast combat under certain conditions.

It is obviously a very good decision.

2020 hasn't always been a good year, but for the development of MMA in France, it has been quite fantastic.

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France seems to be opening its doors to you ...

So much the better!

All this favors the arrival of the UFC very quickly now in your country.

We know that we have many fans in France who are looking forward to us.

Reassure them, we will not forget them.

What should we expect on the first night of the UFC in France?

Above all, we will have to ensure that all sanitary measures are taken so that the public can come and discover us safely.

This will be our first rule.

The ambition is to welcome 20,000 people for this great first.

Then it will be a fantastic event with all the know-how of the UFC, the best fighters in the world.

A live UFC experience cannot be forgotten, trust me.

You will see it soon.

Will we see the two French fighters Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane in Paris?

Everything is possible, yes.

They are both huge champions who can both claim the world heavyweight belt.

You are very lucky in France to have two athletes of this caliber.