Lightweights Drakkar Klose and Luis Pena will no longer face each other at UFC VEGAS 19.
The coronavirus strikes again just hours before a card starts.
According to lightweight Luis Pena, his UFC VEGAS 19 preliminary bout against Drakkar Klose will no longer be happening after a member of Klose’s team tested positive for COVID-19. Later on, the promotion also confirmed the news, mentioning the pairing was going to be moved to an undetermined future event.
I hate this man but it’s with a heavy heart that must inform you guys that the fight has been called off one of Drakkar’s corner tested positive for covid and out of the health and safety for us both the @ufc decided to pull the fight praying that he and his team remain healthy
— Luis Antonio Pena (@violentbobross) February 20, 2021
The fight would have marked Luis Pena’s (8-3) return to the Octagon following a four and a half-month suspension due to a positive marijuana USADA test, back in September 2020. In his last outing, ‘Violent Bob Ross’ was tapped out by Khama Worthy via guillotine choke, in June of the same year. The 27-year-old’s latest win happened just before the loss, in February, when he bested Steve Garcia by unanimous decision.
Similarly, Drakkar Klose (11-2-1) was going to try to bounce back from a knockout loss to Beneil Dariush, in March 2020. Before that, the 32-year-old was on a three-fight winning streak, with victories over Lando Vannata, Bobby Green and Christos Giagos.
Now, UFC VEGAS 19 will continue with 13 bouts, in Las Vegas, on February 20. The event is expected to be headlined by a heavyweight bout between top contenders Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes.