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Inside UFC's mad scramble to salvage UFC 279 after Khamzat Chimaev's bad weight miss

LAS VEGAS — UFC president Dana White said he never thought he’d be challenged professionally the way he was as he tried to navigate the company through the COVD-19 crisis in 2020. The UFC was the first major sports franchise to return to competition after the pandemic began.

Then, Thursday and Friday happened and, well, White had another story to add to his book.

“This was kind of like COVID all over again all in one day,” White said, laughing, just moments before jumping on stage for the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC 279 at T-Mobile Arena.