When the UFC tried to run its UFC 249 pay-per-view on April 18th in California, Dana White says he was told to stand down by top Disney and ESPN executives. At the time, ESPN had released this short statement.
“ESPN has been in constant contact with the UFC regarding UFC 249. Nobody wants to see sports return more than we do, but we didn’t feel this was the right time for a variety of reasons.
“ESPN expressed its concerns to the UFC and they understood.”
Well if April wasn’t the right time, then May apparently is more than ideal.