As Southern California continues to grapple with the devastating wildfires and fallout of the past several days, the UFC comes to town looking to provide a distraction.
In its fifth month of existence, Intuit Dome in Inglewood will host its first combat sports event Saturday, with UFC President and CEO Dana White hoping UFC 311 offers a respite from the chaos and calamity of the recent blazes that have destroyed lives and entire neighborhoods.
“That’s kind of the vibe that I’ve been getting from people that are going,” White said on “The Jim Rome Show” on Wednesday. “They’re excited to go to the fights and not think about what’s going on. What’s crazy is I was there the night the fires started. I was actually out there for meetings. That was the first night and it felt really crazy.
“For people that aren’t in L.A., we’re used to seeing, ‘Oh, there’s fires in Southern California.’ This was a whole different vibe and feeling, and it’s only gotten worse. So yeah, I think this is definitely going to be a boost for the people that live there.”
As of Thursday morning, the Palisades fire had ravaged 23,713 acres with 22% containment. The Eaton fire in Altadena was at 14,117 acres and 55% contained. In all, 25 people have died and 24 others are reported missing.
Two fighters with Southern California connections who will appear on the main card at UFC 311 are feeling for those affected by the catastrophes.
Placentia lightweight Beneil Dariush knows all too well about wildfires from when he lived in Yorba Linda. The Canyon Fire in 2017 raced up Anaheim Hills and destroyed 25 homes and more than 9,200 acres.
“It’s been tough. You have family, you have friends in L.A. who are on evacuation notice. We have people who have evacuated and then come back and I don’t know anyone who’s lost their home yet, but I’m sure probably it’s happened and I just don’t know about it,” Dariush (22-6-1) said. “So it’s been rough, but we keep in…
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