UFC fighter pulled after testing positive for COVID-19

Jacare Souza has been pulled from a UFC event just hours before it was set to go ahead. The middleweight fighter was pulled from the fightcard for UFC 249 after testing positive for coronavirus, along with two of his cornermen.

However, the rest of the bouts on fight card were allowed to go ahead with 11 bouts set to be fought at the Jacksonville, Florida venue on Saturday (May 9). Souza was due to fight American Uriah Hall.

UFC will continue with the rest of the pay-per-view line up on Saturday. A previous bout on April 18 in which the two men were meant to compete was cancelled due to the pandemic.  

The UFC immediately issued a statement to clarify the situation.
“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,” the statement said read.
“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.

Fans could pay to watch the fights on TV but there was to be no crowd in attendance at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena