Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
The anticipated rematch between light heavyweight finishers Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba can’t seem to get off the ground, as a positive COVID-19 test for “Hulk” has removed the matchup from tonight’s (Sat., Aug. 29, 2020) UFC Vegas 8 card live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
UFC officials released the following statement on Friday:
“Due to a positive COVID-19 test, Ion Cutelaba’s light heavyweight fight against Magomed Ankalaev has been removed from today’s undercard and will be rescheduled for a later date.”
The news is a bit concerning considering Cutelaba tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month and the rematch was postponed then as well. It is unknown at this time if “Hulk” contracted the virus a second time or never fully recovered from his initial exposure.
In any case, this is a major blow to the UFC Vegas 8 card and another missed opportunity to see another round between the two light heavyweight strikers.
UFC Vegas 8, which will be headlined by a light heavyweight collision between Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic, will now move forward with 10 total fights.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 8 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” undercard bouts at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN+ main card start time at 9 p.m. ET.
For more upcoming UFC events click here.