A makeshift bubble set up to allow New Zealand MMA athletes to continue preparations for their upcoming events has been disbanded after being served with a warning notice by police.
Kiwi UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker and several other members of Auckland's City Kickboxing gym had made their home at the gym in order to continue training for events, including Hooker's next UFC appearance at UFC 266 in late September.
In a statement to the Herald, City Kickboxing coach and spokesperson Mike Angove said they believed their set-up was in compliance with Covid-19 protocols, with police having checked it during the 2020 level 3 lockdown, but confirmed the athletes had been sent home.
"Since lockdown began we've done at least four media interviews where we have mentioned we were in a lockdown camp in the gym - in other words it was no secret, and we were of the understanding we were in compliance with Covid-19 regulations.
"On Thursday evening we received a visit from police who advised us that due to a change in interpretation, our lockdown camp no longer complied with lockdown regulations. As a consequence we have disbanded the camp last night to ensure we remain compliant."