Jacare Souza tests positive for corona - after UFC 249 weigh-in and faceoff

UFC 249 has taken a major hit after it was confirmed that middleweight contender Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza had tested positive for coronavirus. Jacare was slated to take on Uriah Hall on the UFC 249 prelims, but has now been removed entirely from the event.

According to the UFC, the event will continue forward as planned as they have received clearance from the Florida State Athletic Commission. It does however cast a shadow over an already controversial event.

In an initial report from ESPN, “Jacare” informed the UFC that a family member had tested positive, something that prompted the organization to take necessary precautions. The 40-year-old Brazilian was tested and isolated, but still weighed in and participated in the faceoffs.

In both weigh-in and faceoffs, “Jacare” can be seen with both mask and gloves, and stood several feet from both UFC President Dana White and his opponent “Primetime” Hall. The rest of the fighters on UFC 249 have been tested for corona and no-one else has tested positive.

Check out the full weigh-in and faceoffs in the video below.

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During this time of uncertainty, the sporting world, specifically combat sports, needs something like UFC 249 to distract them from all that’s happening. Despite a number of raised eyebrows, the UFC went ahead and produced what appears to be a PPV fight card for the ages, so here’s to top-to-bottom exciting action and a handful of hours worth of much-need escapism.

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