New York Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman offers to fight NASCAR driver Kyle Larson over racist comment

Chip Ganassi Racing announced it parted ways with Larson Tuesday as well. Sponsors had already distanced themselves from Larson before Tuesday morning, and the driver apologized via Twitter on Monday.

Stroman may not have to wait to meet Larson in the Octagon if his challenge is accepted, if he decides he doesn't want to wait until he's retired from baseball. As Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie reported, Florida has labeled World Wrestling Entertainment an "essential business" in the state, which will allow WWE to continue producing new content during the coronavirus pandemic. This could provide UFC boss Dana White with the opportunity to begin staging events in the state. 

Last week, Disney and ESPN pulled the plug on the scheduled UFC 249 show and other scheduled events. White has said that he intends to secure a private island where fights will be licensed and allowed. 

Stroman vs. Larson may not be the main event fight fans are clamoring for this spring, but it would provide us with a needed distraction with the majority of professional and amateur sports shut down due to the virus outbreak. While MLB executives have discussed options to begin the 2020 season, no official strategy has been agreed upon by the league and the MLB Players Association.