UFC Updates COVID-19 Protocol Ahead Of Saturday Fight

The UFC has announced that UFC Fight Night 172, their fourth UFC fight for May would be held on the 30th in Las Vegas and President Dana White has assured us that it would go on as planned, despite the approval from the Nevada Athletic Commission.

The fight would hold at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas without fans in attendance but would be streamed on ESPN 9 on a pay-per-view basis.

Now, the UFC has released an updated guideline for the fight. Although the updated version does not contain so many significant changes, the UFC would not like a repeat of the situation in the UFC 249 fight where 3 people, including Ronaldo Souza had to isolated after their test result came back positive. For that reason, the Souza vs. Uriah Hall fight had to be cancelled.

The new rules are in respect to testing as all parties involved, fighters, as well as everyone in their camp, would be subject to two tests. They would receive the first fest upon arrival at the host hotel.

From there, they would isolate with members of their camp, the difference between previous UFC meetings this month. If the result of the test comes back negative, they can go for the Friday weigh-ins, while those whose results came back as positive would have to stay back at the hotel.

After the weigh ins, they would have to take another test and again isolate with their members. During this time, they would have no contact with anyone outside their camp and they are not allowed to leave the hotel for any reason, except approved by the UFC.

Only those whose results came back as negative would be allowed to the fight on Saturday while those whose results return as positive would have to remain in their hotel room.

Self-isolation is the main point of the updated guideline as it is necessary for members to self-isolate together to risk the chances of transferring the virus between camps. Tyron Woodley vs. Gilbert Burns would be the main match of the night, which begins at 6 p.m ET.

Written by: Leon Osamor