UFC 249: Ronaldo Souza Tests Positive For COVID-19

UFC fighter Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza has tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing him off Saturday night’s UFC 249 card.

Souza was scheduled to meet Uriah Hall in a featured prelim bout in the middleweight division.

Despite the positive test result from Souza and members of his fight camp, the event will remain on schedule for Jacksonville, Florida and the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

The UFC released a statement after word started to spread of Souza’s positive test. The fighter weighed in successfully Friday and faced off with Hall prior to the development.

UFC Statement On Souza

“The middleweight bout between Uriah Hall vs Jacaré Souza will no longer be on the UFC 249 preliminary card due to one of Souza’s COVID-19 tests indicating a positive result,” the statement read. “In addition, COVID-19 tests for Souza’s two cornermen were also flagged as positive.

“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. As per UFC’s health and safety protocols, 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.

“From their arrival earlier in the week until their departure today, Souza and his cornermen followed UFC health and safety protocols, including practicing social distancing, wearing personnel protective equipment, and self-isolating whenever possible.

“There have been no other positive COVID-19 tests reported from the remaining athletes participating in UFC 249.

“The response to this development is indicative of the effectiveness of the health and safety measures UFC has put in place for this event.”

UFC 249 features Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje in the main event for the interim UFC lightweight title along with Henry Cejudo defending his bantamweight belt against Dominick Cruz.

UFC 249: Ferguson Vs. Gaethje

MAIN CARD (PPV/10 p.m. ET)

Interim UFC Lightweight Championship
Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje

UFC Bantamweight Championship
Henry Cejudo (c) vs. Dominick Cruz

Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Calvin Kattar vs. Jeremy Stephens

Yorgan De Castro vs. Greg Hardy

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN/ESPN+/8 p.m. ET)

Donald Cerrone vs. Anthony Pettis 

Aleksei Oleinik vs. Fabricio Werdum

Carla Esparza vs. Michelle Waterson

Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price

PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+/7 p.m. ET)

Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa

Sam Alvey vs. Ryan Spann