The UFC will introduce a extra stringent collection of coronavirus exams for fighters and their coaches forward of upcoming combat playing cards of their multi-million-dollar UFC Apex facility on the group’s Las Vegas HQ.
The UFC has held three occasions since rising from the coronavirus lockdown, all of which occurred in the identical venue in Jacksonville, Florida.
One fighter, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, was discovered to have contracted the virus in testing carried out throughout combat week forward of UFC 249, although the fighter was current for the weigh-ins on the eve of the occasion the place he got here in shut bodily proximity to a number of different athletes and UFC president Dana White.
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Regardless of insisting that their testing regime was ample on the time, a report from MMA Junkie has proven that the corporate will introduce an improved battery of exams forward of the return to Las Vegas.
Every fighter to compete at playing cards within the Apex area will face two obligatory COVID-19 antigen oropharyngeal swab exams earlier than competing and when arriving on the fighter resort, at which level every fighter and coach who undergoes the check will face a interval of self-isolation till the outcomes of their exams can be found.
Fighters “mustn’t depart the Athlete Resort or have bodily contact with anybody apart from the members of your camp till you will have acquired your check consequence,” in keeping with a memo issued to fighters.
If the check outcomes are detrimental, fighters are invited to conduct their common combat week actions. Upon a detrimental check, they’re informed to stay of their room till contacted by a UFC medical workers.
A second check takes place after the weigh-ins, after which fighters should self-isolate of their resort rooms till it’s time to be transported to the placement of the combat.
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“Throughout this time, no athletes or cornermen can be permitted to go away the Athlete Resort with out categorical prior approval from the Nevada State Athletic Fee,” the memo states. “You additionally mustn’t have bodily contact with anybody apart from the members of your camp.“
The primary occasion contained in the UFC Apex facility takes place this weekend with a card headlined by former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, who takes on surging Brazilian contender Gilbert Burns.
