los angeles after calling for an indefinite ban on combat sports events in april the association of ringside physicians arp wants coronavirus precautions to be developed with an eye to staging eventsin a weekend statement on the groups website the doctors who train and certify ringside boxing and mixed martial arts doctors worldwide updated their stance based on the relaxing of stayathome requirementsalthough it is impossible to eliminate all risk associated with covid19 precautions can be made to reduce the risk of viral transmission the statement saidmany athletic commissions organizations and promotors are developing new guidelines to limit exposure to all involved at events including athletes their teams commission personnel and support staffsports worldwide have been shut down by the coronavirus pandemicbut three ultimate fighting championship ufc cards have been scheduled in jacksonville florida the first on saturday with others on may 13 and may 16 all to be staged in an arena with television broadcast personnel but without spectatorscombat sports event procedures regarding covid19 precautions should be actively developed regularly reviewed and modified based on the evolving knowledge and scientific evidence put forth by public health authorities the arp saidthese guidelines should also involve local and regional public health officials as well as infectious disease experts and epidemiologistsan executive order last month from florida governor ron desantis opened the door to hosting ufc events by giving essential services status to employees at a professional sports and media production with a national audience if the location is closed to the general publicjacksonville mayor lenny curry called the ufc event plan including health safeguards a safe and sensible one