The UFC made its return to Canada tonight at UFC 289. This is the first time the Las Vegas-based promotion has come to the Great White North since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. And it showed up with a pay-per-view event comprising several Canadian stars.
Irene Aldana takes on Amanda Nunes as the former tries to snatch the bantamweight gold from ‘The Lioness.’
UFC 289 poster pic.twitter.com/vf0g0Er1Vo
— Patrick (@fight406) May 5, 2023
The June 10 event is happening live inside the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. Canada has famously been a staple of the UFC calendar every year. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, Canada couldn’t secure any such event in recent times.
The last time UFC visited Canada was in September 2019 in Vancouver. The night marked a headliner between Donald Cerrone and Justin Gaethje. Nevertheless, the promotion’s return is being talked about much as of now, for all the right and wrong reasons.
Mike Malott just broke the arena with his walkout @Michael_Malott canada can’t contain themselves #UFC289 @ufc #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/4FgSbDygEk
— ShirtGuyLee (@ShirtGuyMMA) June 11, 2023
During the walkout of Canada’s own, Mike Malott, a few unlucky fans fell over a collapsed barricade earlier tonight. It remains unknown as to the time when the unfortunate event exactly happened. But it appears that the barricade for the stands gave way and a collection of fight fans fell over onto the ground. The UFC broadcast booth initially thought the fans tried to jump down to join Mike’s walkout, but that wasn’t the case.
This could have been disastrous pic.twitter.com/Z4oZsVvIXZ
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 11, 2023
Upon further inspection, it also appears that the fall happened with Mike being inches away from the uneventful scene. He could have been badly injured because of the action. Thankfully, the Ontario native was meant to make his way to the Octagon to secure his 3rd UFC win tonight. The 31-year-old looked pretty unfazed, almost as if he didn’t even notice the scenes.
It definitely did pic.twitter.com/kWI6IGKTJv
— Matt Miller (@Matt_miller3) June 11, 2023
Midway through the first round of Malott’s fight against Adam Fugitt, UFC play-by-play commentator, Jon Anik announced that said fans didn’t suffer any injuries after the fall. It was indeed a wild scene and something that has rarely ever happened during a UFC PPV event or any event for that matter.
Fans react to the collapsing barricade during Mike Malott’s UFC 289 walkout
June 10, 2023, will forever be cherished amongst Canadian fans. Not only the fact that all six of their native fighters came out victorious tonight. But also the unfortunate barricade incident that could have rendered several people injured. Needless to say, the MMA world collectively took to social media to voice their reactions to the unexpected action.
Here are some fan reactions on the matter –
Then Jon Anik is like fans trying to join the action
— Mohamed (@oldroot07) June 11, 2023
Malott didn’t give a fuck hahahaha
— action castro 🖤🤖🦇👹😈 (@dCastroMMA) June 11, 2023
Canada crowd got the finishes themselves 💀
— Myth (@DrCocNballs) June 11, 2023
They need to sue them
— Sacha Larsen (@Sacha52067770) June 11, 2023
HOLY FUCK HAHAHA, I thought it was after he went past.. that was lucky!
— OceanicMMA🇦🇺🇳🇿 (@OceanicMMA) June 11, 2023
50gs to the railing, performance of the night.
— Fernando Torres (@RadgeGoat23) June 11, 2023
They need a drink limit at these shows. Common sense would tell you there is a barricade for a reason…don’t lean on it!
— CoryMMARules (@CoryRules) June 11, 2023
Jon anik just said some fans tried to jump down to be part of the action😂
— Kyle (@nitrofreak1992) June 11, 2023
Omg that could’ve been tragic
— Justin (@S13Justin) June 11, 2023
Yeah then Mallot walked over them. Stealth mindset
— Vic (@Glapppo) June 11, 2023
Malott’s walkout to the song “Fat Lip” which features the lyric “We laugh when old people fall” adds to the humor of the incident, now that we know everyone is safe. What do you make of the chaotic scene amidst UFC’s return to Canada after almost 4 years? Let us know in the comments down below.