This archive report was first published on 9 May 2020.
Published on May 9, 2020, the UFC's return to action in Florida is set to go ahead as planned despite one of the undercard fighters, Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza, testing positive for coronavirus.
Souza, a middleweight from Brazil, was scheduled to fight Uriah Hall on the undercard of the televised Ultimate Fighting Championship 249 event, but he has been dropped from the card after being diagnosed with Covid-19 on Friday.
Two of Souza's cornermen also tested positive, and all three men have left the host hotel to self-isolate off premises.
The UFC's medical team has examined Souza and his cornermen and found them to be currently asymptomatic, but the event organizers have taken precautions to ensure the safety of the other fighters and staff.
The event, which is being held without spectators, will feature 11 bouts, and officials have confirmed that the other 23 fighters on the card have tested negative for coronavirus.
Uriah Hall, Souza's opponent, expressed his disappointment on Twitter, saying, 'Brother I know it sucks. I'm sorry you have to go through this. I am beyond devastated for the missed opportunity.'
The UFC's return to action is seen as a step towards normalcy, and UFC chief Dana White has insisted that the production will not put anyone at risk.
White has been working closely with medical experts to ensure the safety of the fighters and staff, and he has said that the UFC has a well-thought-out plan in place to minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission.
