UFC President Dana White has revealed he will be using a private island to stage events during the coronavirus pandemic.

The sporting calendar has been decimated by the COVID-19 crisis as mass gatherings have been banned in many countries.

But White, who has been forced to move UFC 249 from New York due to the virus outbreak in the US, insists they will go ahead with the show next weekend.

Speaking to TMZ, he said: "As of April 18, the UFC is back up and running.

"We're going to make sure that athletes, referees, my production people, that everybody there is going to be healthy before, during and after the fights."

He went on to say that he is 'a day or two' away from securing a private island for the shows, although fans will not be permitted to watch.

White confirmed there is the private island location and another one venue which have been secured, with the UFC moving between the two.

Some media who have applied to go to the behind-closed-doors shows will be allowed to cover the events.

UFC 249 will see Tony Ferguson take on Justin Gaethje in a change from the scheduled main event.

This is because Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was set to take on Ferguson, flew back to Russia and subsequently pulled out of the fight.

It is the fifth time the bout between Khabib and Ferguson has been called off, with White admitting he is starting to believe in the 'curse' that the fight will not happen.