UFC to donate $1M to Las Vegas shooting victims

By Adam Hill Las Vegas Review-Journal

7 years ago

UFC President Dana White during the final press conference ahead of the fight featuring Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor, slated for Aug. 26 at the T-Mobile Arena, at the Ka Theatre at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

UFC president Dana White said Monday afternoon that the organization will donate $1 million to families affected by Sunday’s mass shooting on the Strip.

He also said Saturday’s UFC 216 card at T-Mobile Arena will go on as scheduled.

“Right now the only thing we care about are these families and this situation,” said White, who indicated the broadcast will be dedicated to the city of Las Vegas. “This is our hometown, and we love this town. This town has been so good to this company and this sport since the day we started it.”

White, who attended high school in Las Vegas, said he has followed news closely and has been checking on family and friends.

“We’ve been sitting around all day talking about this, and everybody’s like, ‘This is our town so we’re going big,’” White said of the donation.

White said he has heard from many fans around the country who want to help.

“We’ll take care of our own,” he said. “We’ve got a ton of other businesses that thrive here, and I know they will all do their part. You want to take care of Vegas? Plan that next trip. Don’t be scared. These things happen all over the world. They’re horrible and terrible. But don’t let it scare you. Don’t be afraid to live. Don’t let them determine what you do. Don’t be afraid to take that trip. That’s what you do.”

UFC 216, which features an interim lightweight title bout between Tony Ferguson and Las Vegan Kevin Lee, will proceed as planned.

“The guys are here,” White said. “The fighters are in town, and as far as the event, that’s on.”

White said he isn’t concerned about the safety at the arena on the heels of the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.

“When it comes to safety of events, we’re doing events all over the world,” he said. “We’re all over that stuff. I’m more focused on doing everything we can to help the people who are affected by this and their families. This is our town, and we’re here. We love this city. It’s our city.”

UFC 216, which airs on pay-per-view, also features a flyweight title bout between Ray Borg and champion Demetrious Johnson.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-277-8028. Follow @adamhilllvrj on Twitter.