It was hard, as the American mixed martial artist Justin Gaethje skillfully picked apart first the defence and then the defiance of Tony Ferguson, not to be thrilled by the UFC’s return on Saturday night. Sports fans have been starved of action ever since the escalation of the coronavirus pandemic. And, in the Octagon at least, this was sport at its dramatic best.

But everything else was wrong. Gaethje’s exquisitely-timed left hooks, the result of years of dedicated training in his Colorado gym, echoed loudly through an empty arena. The frenzied instructions of both men’s coaching teams could be clearly heard. And, cageside, judges, officials and photographs watched on with masks covering their faces.

Prior to the event, UFC president Dana White had boasted to all those still listening that there was little risk to those he had pressured to take part. That the UFC’s officials and fighters were simply playing their part in distracting fans bored and listless in isolation. And his staff appeared to agree. “We did this for you, to bring sports back,” a bloodied Ferguson said in the Octagon before being immediately transferred to hospital.

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