UFC middleweight Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza was scheduled to fight Uriah Hall at UFC 249, the first major sports event during the COVID-19 global pandemic. He was interviewed upon arrival during the truncated Fight Week, explained that family member(s) had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and he was tested. Unfortunately, the test results are not immediate, so Souza weighed in (while wearing a mask, and facing off at distance) and post weigh-ins the results came back positive, and the fight was scrapped.
Now Souza has issued a statement on his social network.
"I was very sad to not be able to fight at UFC 249, but I want you to know that, as soon as I'm medically cleared, I hope to reschedule my fight with Uriah Hall so that I can put on the show that everyone expects," he wrote. "I thank my corners for the partnership, my opponent for the words of support and the UFC for all the care.
"Thank you all for the kind messages I have received in the last few days. The upcoming weeks I will be secluded with my family and coaches and focused on our health so I can be back soon.
"Thank you!"