UFC 249: Jacare Souza tests positive for COVID-19, ruled out of his fight

08 May 2020

UFC Fighter Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza has been tested positive for COVID-19. Souza was scheduled to fight at the UFC 249 fight card against Uriah Hall this weekend.

The news was first reported by ESPN and according to the report, UFC officials noted that the event will go ahead as planned even though Souza will not be fighting in the card.

Souza had earlier informed the UFC officials that his family member had tested positive for COVID-19 and was closely monitored as a result. He, however, did not show any symptoms of the virus.

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He was tested like all the other fighters on the card and the results came out to be positive on Friday. The Brazilian appeared at the weigh-ins last day wearing gloves and mask.

UFC apparently also reached out to the Florida Athletic Commission which gave a go-ahead for the event since ‘the system worked in Souza's case’.

UFC 249 is scheduled to happen on May 9 and will be headlined by the Interim Lightweight title fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. The co-main event will see Dominick Cruz going up against Henry Cejudo for the UFC Bantamweight title.

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