Agency :
The controversial mixed martial arts card scheduled for Saturday in Florida will go ahead as planned despite one of the undercard fighters testing positive for coronavirus.
Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza was dropped from the Jacksonville event after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday. He arrived in Florida earlier in the week.
Two of Souza’s cornermen also tested positive.
“UFC’s medical team examined Souza and his two cornermen and found them to be currently asymptomatic, or not exhibiting the common symptoms of COVID-19,” organizers said in a statement late Friday night.
“All three men have left the host hotel and will be self-isolating off premises.”
Middleweight Souza, of Brazil, was scheduled to fight Uriah Hall on the undercard of the televised Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 249 event which is being held without spectators.
Souza attended the weigh-in wearing a protective mask and was kept at a distance from Hall who also had a mask and gloves on.
Although Souza — who is not showing symptoms — will not fight, the other 11 bouts will go ahead. Officials said the other 23 fighters on the card have tested negative.
“Brother I know it sucks. I’m sorry you have to go through this. I am beyond devastated for the missed opportunity,” Hall tweeted on Friday night.
The card is UFC chief Dana White’s attempt to drag the mixed martial arts series out of coronavirus quarantine.
White, who has also announced cards for May 13 and 16 in Jacksonville, insisted before Souza tested positive the production won’t put anyone at risk.
The controversial mixed martial arts card scheduled for Saturday in Florida will go ahead as planned despite one of the undercard fighters testing positive for coronavirus.
Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza was dropped from the Jacksonville event after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday. He arrived in Florida earlier in the week.
Two of Souza’s cornermen also tested positive.
“UFC’s medical team examined Souza and his two cornermen and found them to be currently asymptomatic, or not exhibiting the common symptoms of COVID-19,” organizers said in a statement late Friday night.
“All three men have left the host hotel and will be self-isolating off premises.”
Middleweight Souza, of Brazil, was scheduled to fight Uriah Hall on the undercard of the televised Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 249 event which is being held without spectators.
Souza attended the weigh-in wearing a protective mask and was kept at a distance from Hall who also had a mask and gloves on.
Although Souza — who is not showing symptoms — will not fight, the other 11 bouts will go ahead. Officials said the other 23 fighters on the card have tested negative.
“Brother I know it sucks. I’m sorry you have to go through this. I am beyond devastated for the missed opportunity,” Hall tweeted on Friday night.
The card is UFC chief Dana White’s attempt to drag the mixed martial arts series out of coronavirus quarantine.
White, who has also announced cards for May 13 and 16 in Jacksonville, insisted before Souza tested positive the production won’t put anyone at risk.
