Jacare Souza PULLED just hours before UFC 249 after testing positive for coronavirus along with two of his cornermen… but rest of fight card will go ahead with 11 bouts set for Florida
- Jacare Souza has been pulled from UFC 249 after testing positive for Covid-19
- The middleweight was due to fight American Uriah Hall in Jacksonville, Florida
- Two of his cornermen tested positive for the virus and all have left the host hotel
- UFC will continue with the rest of the pay-per-view line up on Saturday evening
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Jacare Souza has been pulled from UFC 249 just hours before the event after he and two of his trainers tested positive for coronavirus.
The middleweight was supposed to fight American Uriah Hall in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday after the original bout on April 18 was cancelled due to the pandemic.
UFC pulled Souza immediately after the positive test result but will continue with the rest of the pay-per-view line-up.
Jacare Souza has been pulled just hours before UFC 249 after testing positive for coronavirus
‘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,’ UFC said in a statement.
‘All three men have left the host hotel and will be self-isolating off premises, where UFC’s medical team will monitor their conditions remotely and will provide assistance with any necessary treatment.’
Fighters taking part in Saturday’s event were tested for the coronavirus on arrival in Florida, and many of the 24 fighters have been isolating in their rooms as they prepared for their bouts
Two of Souza’s (right) trainers also tested positive for the virus and have now left the host hotel
Fans can pay to watch the fights on TV but there will be no crowd in attendance at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
‘There have been no other positive COVID-19 tests reported from the remaining athletes participating in UFC 249,’ the UFC statement added.
‘Saturday’s UFC 249 card … will proceed as scheduled with 11 bouts.’
An interim lightweight title fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje tops the bill but that showdown was meant to see Ferguson finally lock horns with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The Russian withdrew after returning to his homeland due to the pandemic but UFC chief Dana White was adamant the event would still go ahead on April 18, despite the clear ethical reasons for it not to.
Eventually, TV bosses forced White to scrap the event last month but it was only postponed for a matter of weeks.
UFC are going ahead with the other pay-per-view fights taking place in Jacksonville, Florida