With an abundance of boxing to take place in Nevada this summer, comes a set of strict testing standards to which all participants are required to adhere.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has finalized its coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing protocol, officially paving the way for combat sports to return to Las Vegas and throughout the state. The policy speaks specifically to the handling of closed doors events during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and will be made available to all promoters planning to do business in state.
“Sport is an integral part of society, both for entertainment value and as a source of jobs for the State of Nevada, including athletes, promoters, hospitality workers, media and others,” Bob Bennett, executive director of NSAC stated in the summary of the Nevada testing protocol, of which BoxingScene.com has obtained a copy. “In order for combat sports to safely resume competition in Nevada, it is crucial for a robust Covid-19 testing plan to be initiated. An effective program will need to encompass direct viral detection.
“Introducing a closed system (no-spectators) for any competition will also greatly mitigate widespread transmission to others. As importantly, all individuals involved in an event of unarmed combat, regardless of their function, will need to go through a testing and quarantine program, overseen by Executive Director Bennett.”
The protocol identifies all essential personnel whom will be subjected to state-approved testing standards. All assigned participants will be tested immediately upon arrival, at which point they will remain isolated until test results are ready. A negative test will provide clearance for said party to enter the closed system, where they will remain quarantined through the completion of the event and required to wear a mask at all times.
Participants are recommended—but not required—to also wear protective gloves.
All shows are closed to the public, with Top Rank—for the immediate future—not even allowing media on site. UFC has granted credentials to tested media members for its three shows held in Jacksonville, Florida earlier this month, and appear to have granted the same luxury for its UFC on ESPN 9 event this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Friday’s weigh-in for the mixed martial arts (MMA) card already carried a different feel from the aforementioned shows in Florida. Everyone on site wore masks, including all fighters who weighed in unaccompanied and without having to share the stage.
UFC President Dana White—who has refused to wear a mask for the previous three events, was not on site Friday. Reports suggest the outspoken promoter will watch Saturday’s show from the comfort of his Las Vegas office, presumably sans mask. White has been repeatedly tested for COVID-19, however, and has tested negative each time.
The rest of his staff along with all UFC athletes were fully compliant with NSAC closed-doors testing protocol, as will be the case for Top Rank once boxing resumes in Las Vegas beginning June 9. Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is planning to attend the shows and will fully adhere to state policy, as his company has worked side-by-side with the Nevada Coronavirus Task Force for weeks in efforts to present a protocol deemed acceptable by the NSAC.
Their efforts were rewarded on Wednesday, when the commission unanimously voted in favor of allowing combat sports to return in state for the first time since February 28.
The five-page testing protocol also outlines conditions to be met for the provided closed system, including proper sterilization of all facilities used in accordance with CDC (Center for Disease control) guidelines.
Prior to arrival, all assigned personnel will be required to fill out a medical questionnaire. In it, participants will be required to disclose whether they’ve had a fever in the previous 72 hours, if they’ve come in contact with anyone who’s contracted COVID-19 and whether they’ve experienced any such symptoms consistent with the infectious disease.
All tests must be conducted in an approved and isolated area within the closed system and with a qualified physician overseeing the process and collection of said samples.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will be immediately removed from the event, and required to remain quarantined for a minimum of 14 days while under the observation of primary care. Those who test positive and fail to adhere to testing recovery protocol will be banned from entering the closed system for any future events and placed on a medical suspension list.
Violators will be subject to additional disciplinary action as imposed by the Nevada commission.
Promoters will be required to submit their event and venue-specific plans to the commission, all of which must be in compliance with testing protocol in its entirety. This will present a challenge should the need arise for a late replacement opponent, as all parties must test negative for COVID prior to being permitted on site.
Submissions must include at the very minimum: Floor plans; contact names and numbers for all essential personnel; hotel accommodations which must be in proximity of the closed system, as to minimize travel; health and safety protocol; detailed plans for all personnel quarantined following COVID-19 testing and clearance; event operational plan; media rooms (for events where media will be permitted, pending negative test results; meal plans; testing prior to and day-of weigh-in; quarantine areas for all tested parties; social distancing markings that require all participants remain at least six feet from the ring or octagon, save for the fighters, their immediate team members and the referee; emergency medical services and designated areas for all security personnel.
Other than that, there’s nothing left to do but let the fighting resume and wish for health and well-being.
“Currently there is no mechanism to ensure competition is 100% free from Covid-19 infection,” acknowledges Bennett. “However, the protocols outlined below will significantly mitigate the chance of Covid-19 infection in combat sports.”
UFC will hold events in Las Vegas on May 30 and every Saturday in June. Top Rank will debut its summer series on June 9, with shows to take place every Tuesday and Thursday throughout June and more dates in July to be announced in the coming days. All aforementioned combat sports shows will air live on ESPN platforms.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox