Report: Florida to host UFC 249 on May 9

UFC 249 finally has a home.

The May 9 event will take place in Florida, sources told MMA Fighting's Mike Heck on Tuesday. Fighters will reportedly fly into Jacksonville and then travel to the still-undisclosed location.

The pay-per-view card was originally slated for April 18 in Brooklyn but later moved to Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Lemoore, California, due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. It was eventually postponed after executives from UFC broadcast partner ESPN and its parent company, Disney, told UFC president Dana White to "stand down."

White, who's been adamant about continuing operations amid the COVID-19 outbreak, announced last week that the promotion was turning its focus to a planned card on May 9. The UFC didn't immediately reveal the location of the event.

Earlier this month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis deemed pro sporting events an essential service in the state - which opened the door for MMA promotions, including the UFC, to hold events there.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation said last week that the state athletic commission would be prepared to regulate an event as long as organizers follow the guidelines issued by the governor's office.

UFC 249 is expected to be headlined by an interim lightweight title bout between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. Henry Cejudo will defend his bantamweight title against ex-champ Dominick Cruz in the co-main event.

Amanda Nunes was slated to face Felicia Spencer for the women's featherweight belt, but the two-division champ withdrew from the card Monday because she wanted a full training camp for the bout.