On Saturday, the UFC became the first major professional sporting event to conduct a live event in the United States since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic ground competitive athletics to a halt across the country.
The event, held in an empty arena in Jacksonville, Florida, saw many of the peripheral participants, from coaches to doctors, wearing face masks. But when it came to the heart of the action, the only noticeable difference was the clearer sound of gloves and kicks connecting with an opponent, absent the muting effect of a live crowd.