Authorities break up illegal New York City fight club involving more than 200 people

At least 10 people were arrested and charged for the gathering

An illegal New York City fight club was broken up by authorities after more than 200 people congregated to drink, fight, and smoke with limited social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Rumble in the Bronx, an underground fight club group, hosted the event in The Bronx on Saturday night and more than 200 people attended, according to New York City Sheriff Joe Fucito.

Deputy sheriffs said they found people crowded into the warehouse, most of whom not wearing masks, around 11.15pm local time.

"Patrons were also observed drinking alcohol, smoking, hookah, and not wearing face coverings while failing to social distance," the sheriff's office said in a statement.

The gathering far exceeded the state’s coronavirus guidelines for non-essential gatherings, which only allow for 10 people or fewer to gather indoors. But authorities said the gathering also violated guidelines  unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ten event organisers, including the leader of the club, Michael J Roman, 32, were arrested on Saturday and charged with unlawful assembly, health and alcohol violations, and hosting an event for a prohibited combative sport, according to The Gothamist.

Each of the organisers received desk appearance tickets and a $15,000 fine for the event.

Authorities also discovered “loaded firearms”, according to a tweet, and “a significant amount of marijuana" when searching the premises.

It was not revealed if patrons attending the event were arrested outside of the 10 organisers.

New York City has faced a spike in crime, specifically shootings, this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, as most of the city was forced to shut down for a portion of the year to curb the spread of the novel virus. The city has recorded more than 285,000 coronavirus cases and more than 26,000 people in all five boroughs have died.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced stricter guidelines last week that included the closing of establishments like bars and restaurants at 10pm every night and limiting indoor gatherings to 10 people or fewer. The stricter guidelines come at a time when the state has seen an uptake in Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations.

Another Rumble in the Bronx fight club event was scheduled in Orlando, Florida, in December and was promoted as being mask-free on social media.

Whether the fight club will still host the gathering in Florida remains unknown with its leader currently facing eight charges from the most recent event.