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There are now only nine fights set for UFC Vegas 5.
Yet another fight cancellation has struck UFC Vegas 5, this time on fight day itself.
Combate’s Ana Hissa reported that a light heavyweight bout between Gerald Meerschaert and Ed Herman has been cancelled after Meerschaert tested positive for COVID-19. Meerschaert had tested negative earlier in the week but his most recent test came back positive, which led to his removal from the event.
Meerschaert later confirmed his positive COVID-19 test in a tweet.
Tested positive for Covid so fights off. Feel healthy and will do everything I can to keep it that way and keep those around me safe.
— Gerald Meerschaert (@The_Real_GM3) August 1, 2020
This show has been ravaged with cancellations throughout the past few weeks, including three in rapid succession from late Thursday into Friday. Of course, the original main event between Holly Holm and Irene Aldana was nixed after Aldana tested positive for COVID-19. Eric Spicely withdrew from his bout with Markus Perez, as did Ray Borg against Nathan Maness, ditto Timur Valiev against Jamall Emmers. Spicely’s replacement Charlie Ontiveros couldn’t make weight and thus Perez is off the card.
The main event is a three-rounder between middleweights Derek Brunson and Edmen Shahbazyan. One week after 15 fights at UFC Fight Island 4, we’ll have only 9 bouts at UFC Vegas 5. We think.