New Zealand is one of the very few countries that’s been able to properly deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. After having zero cases for nearly three and a half-months from May to August, the country merely has 31 active cases as of this posting. There hasn’t been a single death since September, keeping its total count to a low 25.
The upside, of course, is life back to the “old normal.” Here’s UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya ringing in the New Year amidst a large crowd. No masks, no social distancing.
Champ2X pic.twitter.com/ZtiaJV7nju
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) January 1, 2021
The downside, however, is stricter quarantine restrictions. Lightweight contender Dan Hooker, for one, won’t be able to return home for a full month after his UFC 257 co-headliner against Michael Chandler.
In Abu Dhabi for a month after UFC 257, what’s good to do? Where to train? ♂️
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) January 9, 2021
MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin provided more details.
The plus side is New Zealand has pretty much eradicated the coronavirus.
Dan told me life has completely returned to normal there. No masks, events are being held with 20,000 or 30,000 fans in attendance, etc. #UFC257
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) January 8, 2021
Hooker went through a similar predicament in June, right after his five-round barnburner against Dustin Poirier. He spent two weeks in quarantine upon getting back and only got to see his young daughter from a distance.
UFC 257 happens on January 23 at the Etihad Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
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