UFC 249 will take place this Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida, and fighters will reportedly be tested for COVID-19. How often they will be tested for the virus, however, isn’t clear yet.
The much-discussed and highly anticipated event appears set to finally take place on May 9th. Originally, UFC 249 was supposed to be hosted by Brooklyn, New York, April 18th. But, due to the pandemic the card was ultimately postponed and relocated to Florida
Recently MMA Junkie was forwarded an email the UFC has sent out to fighters who are set to compete at UFC 249. The email reportedly states that fighters will be tested for the coronavirus, but details regarding how many times, weren’t included.
The aforementioned report includes this quote from the email.
“Upon completion of the UFC Medical Team administered COVID-19 test, the UFCPI Performance Dietitian will conduct a fight week screen that includes but isn’t limited to: weight, nutritional status, food allergies or intolerances and weight cut tactics.”
ESPN has reported that fighters will receive “both a diagnostic swab coronavirus test, as well as the antibody test.”
The plan is to have fighters who require medical attention treated in a “dedicated hotel room” and only medical staff and the fighter will be allowed in. Athletes will be required to wear a protective mask while receiving treatment.
Meals and supplements are being provided for fighters and a staff member will be assigned to each fighter to help coordinate meals. The staff will be doing so with social distancing guidelines in place.
Fighters are also going to have their temperature taken before they enter a hotel room.
Hopefully, everyone involved in the event emerges from the card healthy and safe.
Here is the complete line-up for UFC 249.
Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje (interim lightweight title)
Henry Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz (bantamweight title)
Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Jeremy Stephens vs. Calvin Kattar
Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan De Castro
Donald Cerrone vs. Anthony Pettis
Alexey Oleynik vs. Fabricio Werdum
Carla Esparza vs. Michelle Waterson
Uriah Hall vs. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza
Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price
Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa
Ryan Spann vs. Sam Alvey
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