The UFC 249 card is set and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza will not be a part of it. On the eve of the UFC's big return, it was reported that Souza tested positive for the coronavirus. As a result, he was immediately pulled from the event in which he was scheduled to fight Uriah Hall. Two of Souza's cornermen also tested positive for the virus.
Despite the positive test, the UFC plans to move forward with the event tonight. The promotion released an official statement on Souza and its testing protocols.
"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."
Souza trains in Florida and drove to Jacksonville, where UFC 249 will be held, on Wednesday. Upon arrival, he immediately informed UFC officials that a family member of his might have been infected with coronavirus. He was then tested and monitored but still participated in Friday's weigh-ins and distanced staredown (with a mask and loves) with Hall before receiving his positive test results. The other 23 athletes competing at UFC 249 all tested negative.
"We administered 1,200 tests this week, on 300 people," UFC president Dana White said. "It's not unexpected one person would test positive. The system works. And what's good about this is now we know Jacare tested positive, he's doing what he needs to do, and we're in a position to help him if he needs it."
Uriah Hall, who was scheduled to fight Souza, was disappointed in the news that he would not be able to compete but wished his opponent a safe recovery.
UFC 249's main card begins at 10:00 p.m. ET with the preliminaries slated to to start at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN. White told ESPN that Souza's positive test will have no impact on the UFC's plans to move forward with its next two events on May 13 and May 16, both of which will take place in Jacksonville.