Jose Aldo’s Longtime Coach Reports He’s Tested Positive For COVID-19

COVID-19 continues to impact the MMA world, as Nova Uniao’s renowned leader, Andre Pederneiras, has confirmed he’s tested positive for the virus.

Pederneiras confirms positive test for COVID-19

The highly regarded coach, who has helped guide the careers of former champs like Jose Aldo, Eduardo Dantas and Renan Barao, recently posted the statement below. In it, Pederneiras confirmed that while he feels okay, he has tested positive for the coronavirus (English statement via MMA Junkie).

“Good morning everyone!

“I took the Covid-19 test and it was positive. I am well, fulfilling my isolation at home, and my biggest concern at this moment is to continue our fundraising campaign, because the hunger of the less fortunate cannot fail to be quenched due to a MOMENTARY low medical in the middle of this war that we are fighting, to feed the less fortunate.

“Regardless of whether I am unable to go to the street, our army of ATHLETES AND COLLABORATORS will continue to distribute the basic food baskets at the scheduled times – and as soon as I am free, I will be back in front of everything, buying and distributing the food TOGETHER WE WIN THIS WAR.

“Every week I go to the bank to get the statement to account for the campaign. Unfortunately, this week I will have to post the cell phone statement (which I don’t like to do because it doesn’t show the name of André Pederneiras Institute and the value together), but as soon as I’m released to leave, I’ll post the statement the way it came making.

“The motto of my life has always been FIGHTING TO WIN, and it will be no different now!! My thanks to everyone who is donating and helping these people in need in some way.”

Full recovery

Hopefully Pederneiras continues to feel well and he recovers soon. Aldo had been scheduled to fight Henry Cejudo on May 9th in Brazil.

But, due to the coronavirus outbreak, Dominick Cruz was tapped to fight Cejudo instead. Cejudo defended the bantamweight title via second round stoppage, before announcing he was retiring.