Donald Trump congratulates Dana White for hosting the first live sporting event in two months with UFC fights in an empty Florida arena and says 'we need our leagues back' as he pushes to reopen America

President Trump has congratulated the UFC for conducting the first major sports event since the coronavirus pandemic upended American life two months ago. 

UFC 249 was held in an empty stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday night, and was aired on ESPN.  

President Trump appeared partway through the broadcast in a taped message to tell the audience it was time to resume professional sports. 

'I want to congratulate [president] Dana White and the UFC. They're going to have a big match!' the Commander-in-chief excitedly stated.

'We love it. We think it's important – get the sports leagues back. Let's play. We do the social distancing and whatever else you have to do, but we need sports. We want our sports back, and congratulations to Dana White and the UFC.' 

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President Trump appeared partway through Saturday night's UFC 249 broadcast in a taped message telling the audience it was time to get sports back up and running 

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The fights took place with a skeleton production crew and no fans inside the stadium

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The fighters did not have the roar of the crowd to help them get through tough moments 

For many weeks, President Trump has been pushing to reopen America, which has been effectively shut down since the coronavirus pandemic hit with full force in mid-March. 

Earlier this week, the President stated: 'The people of our country should think of themselves as warriors... our country has to open.'

Trump has been particularly eager for sports games to resume - a signal that American life may be on the road back to normal. 

At a press conference on April 14, he stated: 'I'm tired of watching baseball games that are 14 years old. But I haven't actually had too much time to watch. I would say maybe I watch one batter then I get back to work.'

On April 4, Trump expressed his desire for the NFL to commence its 2020 season on time. 

'I want fans back in the arenas... as soon as we can, obviously. And the fans want to be back, too,' Trump stated. 

'They want to see basketball and baseball and football and hockey. They want to see their sports. They want to go out onto the golf courses and breathe nice, clean, beautiful fresh air.'

Trump's comments put him at odds with White House Coronavirus Task Force Doctor Anthony Facui who said last month that it would be 'very difficult' for sports to resume this year. 

“I would love to be able to have all sports back, but as a health official and a physician and a scientist, I have to say, right now, when you look at the country, we’re not ready for that yet,' Fauci said. 

As of Saturday evening, more than 1.3 million Americans have tested positive to COVID-19, and nearly 80,000 have died. The country is struggling to flatten the curve and get the spread of the virus under control. 

On Friday alone, more than 1,700 Americans died from COVID-19. 

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UFC 249 was the first major sport to make a return during the coronavirus crisis 

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The backdrop was turned to black on the broadcast to help hide the empty seats 

Saturday night's UFC event overcame controversy and a huge number of logistical headaches to go ahead. 

One fighter, Jacare Souza, was scheduled to take center stage but tested positive for Covid-19. His result did not lead to a cancellation of the show. 

Only a handful of media, broadcast and production personnel were permitted to watch the action, along with the fighters, their teams and officials.  

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena - where the event took place -  is usually filled with roaring fans but on Saturday night there was eerie quiet. 

As the first fights took place and supporters managed to quench their thirst for live sport through the live broadcast, it was a bizarrely different experience to usual. 

Every strike and kick echoed and the shouted instructions from coaching teams were audible when they'd usually be drowned out. 

The commentary team attempted to bring an enthusiasm to proceedings but there was still an inevitably flat feeling. 

Fighters walked out to music, were announced by Bruce Buffer and given the final instructions by the referee and the UFC did everything to make the experience feel as close to their customary events as possible.  

Everyone in the arena had been forced to go through extensive testing to gain access to the event and the UFC's rigorous safety measures may well be mirrored by other sports as the lockdown measures ease in the months ahead.  

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The athletes walked to the octagon with their entourage before stepping into the cage