‘We’re all going to die of something’: UFC boss Dana White criticises US coronavirus lockdown measures

UFC have had to cancel three events so far as a result – including UFC London – with many more sure to follow

UFC boss Dana White has hit out at the US government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and has urged authorities to let Americans get on with their daily lives.

Covid-19 is continuing to spread across the globe with the World Health Organisation confirming over 375,000 cases of the virus worldwide.

Governments, including the US, have been forced into enacting lockdowns for the public and the closing down of non-essential businesses.

UFC have had to cancel three events so far as a result – including UFC London – with many more sure to follow as the virus continues to decimate sporting schedules.

And a clearly impatient White has questioned the decision-making processes from above that led to those postponements.

“How long are we going to do this? How long are we going to stay in our houses and hide?,” he told Yahoo Sports. “If the coronavirus is going to get me, then so be it. It is what it is. Heart disease, car accidents, cancer, the list goes on and on and on, all these things that kill people every year.

“One thing is guaranteed - we're all going to die of something. You can't be somebody that's going to hide in your house for months. You’re going to hide in your house for months? For what? No way. To be honest with you, if this goes on for months, I have a great house to be locked up in, man.

“My house was built for quarantine; we're having a blast over here. I'm spending incredible time with my kids and family. I'm doing two/three-a-day workouts over here. We're doing things that we haven't done with the kids since they were little. I can do this forever if that's what everybody wants to do.”

White is desperate to return to his daily life and has called on those in power to stop “running and hiding” from the problem.

“Is this what were going to do? Since when do Americas run and hide in their frickin' houses instead of taking this thing head on and finding solutions?,” he added. “You find solutions on how to continue to live your life, protect the people that need to be protected.

“I don't think I'm a high-risk guy for this thing, and if I'm wrong, then the corona is going to get me. It is what it is. There's nothing you can do about it. I'm not going to refuse to live my life. I'm not going to hide.

“Whether you're a coronavirus expert or not, it's like hiding from cancer. You can't hide from this thing. If you are a high-risk person, this thing's going to get you.”