Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
It looks like another UFC title fight is in jeopardy due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a recent report by Combate, flyweight contender Deiveson Figueiredo has tested positive for coronavirus. Figueiredo had the virus back in May so the promotion is testing the Brazilian again to see if they get a false positive. If the second test comes back positive then Figueiredo will be forced to withdraw from his upcoming title rematch against Joseph Benavidez at UFC’s “Fight Island” event on July 18.
Figueiredo was not on the charter plane that left for Abu Dhabi on Friday.
UFC has yet to make anything official at this time, but flyweight contender Alexandre Pantoja is being looked at as a potential replacement against Benavidez.
Figueiredo, 32, has been overly impressive since his UFC debut back in 2017. The hard-hitting Brazilian fighter has produced a 7-1 record inside of the Octagon with four equally-devastating knockout finishes. Figueiredo was able to take out Benavidez back at UFC Fight Night 169 in February, but a botched weight cut prevented the flyweight from claiming the vacant title left by Henry Cejudo.
Stick with Mania for more news on Figueiredo’s availability for UFC’s July 18 event.