Dana White UFC 249 Is Postponed After Request from ESPN, Disney

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HERE'S THE DEAL

Dana White tells TMZ Sports UFC 249 is officially postponed and will NOT take place as planned on April 18.

But, "Fight Island" is still very real and in the works, White says.

The UFC honcho says because of coronavirus concerns ... high-ranking execs at both ESPN and Disney advised him to hold off on the April 18 fight card.

"I got a call from as high up as you can go at Disney asking not to do this event on April 18," White said.

The plan had been for the fights -- headlined by Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje -- to go forward at Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Lemoore, Calif.

But, Dana says he's going to listen to his partners at ESPN ... and call off the fights for now.

"One thing you’ve heard me say is how awesome this relationship has been with ESPN," White says. "So when they call and ask me to not go, obviously, I'm going to respect it and not go."

As we previously reported ... White was going forward with the fights despite losing Khabib Nurmagomedov -- who withdrew from the card after expressing concern over COVID-19.

The card also lost another headliner in Rose Namajunas on Thursday, when she officially pulled out after she lost family members due to the coronavirus.

White tells us he's ain't laying off UFC staff despite the cancellations ... and guaranteed UFC cards would be back shortly.

"We will be the first sport back on television," White said.

As for "Fight Island" -- White says it's "really happening ... the infrastructure is being built right now on the island."

"When this thing is ready, it's going to be bad ass. It's going to be incredible. And we're just gonna start running fights as soon as that thing is finished."

Colin Kaepernick Will Reach Out to NY Jets ... Despite Fake Reports

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Colin Kaepernick has NOT been signed with the NY Jets, as fake reports suggest -- but he IS reaching out to the team in hopes of landing a deal, TMZ Sports has learned.

Colin's name was trending on social media on Thursday thanks to a bogus report that CK inked a 1-year, $9 million deal with the Jets.

THAT'S FAKE NEWS -- but what's real is Colin's interest in Gang Green ... with sources telling us Colin feels he would be a great fit with the org.

Unclear if the feeling is mutual -- but the Jets don't really have a lot of depth behind Sam Darnold at the QB position, so it's not a crazy idea.

Our sources say Colin has continued to work out and train like a maniac ever since his NFL workout back in November, where he told teams to "stop being scared" and make an offer already!

Colin Kaepernick
YOUR MOVE, NFL

We're told Colin's team isn't putting all of their eggs in the Jets basket -- they're out to multiple teams in hopes of getting Kaepernick back in an NFL uniform for the 2020 season.

Tekashi 6ix9ine Me, a Snitch? Already Trollin' on IG

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Tekashi 6ix9ine must be a fan of comedy ... and Shaggy, because he's basically singing "It Wasn't Me" in response to everyone calling him a snitch. C'mon, man.

The rapper changed his IG profile pic to a claymation version of himself in an orange prison jumpsuit, lounging on a rat trap while devouring a piece of cheese ... interpret that as you may.

Seems like he's just leaning into it, right? But, 6ix9ine also changed his bio line to a question with an obvious answer. He asks, "Why everybody callin me a snitch? I'm missin something...?"

C'mon, man.

We broke the story ... a judge released Tekashi from prison early after he made a plea to get out to avoid contracting the coronavirus. 6ix9ine's now under supervised release in-home incarceration, but is able to return to social media without restrictions.

The rapper's vowed to avoid starting beefs or trolling people with his regained online access, and so far ... he only seems to be trolling himself.

Joking about snitching might not get the best reception, though ... remember, several of 69's former fellow gang members are locked up because he ratted them out.

Tekashi's on federally supervised probation for the next 5 years ... and he's already giving the feds something to talk about.