As UFC 249 went underway with no fans in attendance, one traditional fight night ritual remained: post-fight interviews with color commentator Joe Rogan.
In the lead-up to UFC 249 in Jacksonville, UFC executive vice president of operations and production Craig Borsari said there would be no post-fight interviews at the event. Rogan interviewed Ryan Spann after his split-decision victory over Sam Alvey in a preliminary light heavyweight fight.
During the interview with Spann, Rogan, who was not wearing a mask or gloves, shook Spann's hand while the fighter still had his gloves on. Octagon's announcer Bruce Buffer wore a mask while he was ringside, but removed it to make his announcements.