COVID-19 Forces Ray Borg Out Of UAE Warriors Title Fight

Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ray Borg is one of the best lower-weight class fighters in the world, but one opponent that keeps punching him hard in the face is life itself.
Borg, a former…


UFC 216: Johnson v Borg
Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ray Borg is one of the best lower-weight class fighters in the world, but one opponent that keeps punching him hard in the face is life itself.

Borg, a former UFC flyweight contender, was set to compete at a UAE Warriors event on October 29th. Unfortunately, that fight won’t go down because “The Tazmexican Devil” has tested positive for COVID-19. In a statement released through Instagram, Borg shared the latest devastating news.

“My heart breaks to have to post this but unfortunately I have tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be able to compete at UAE Warriors 24,” he wrote. “I have learned that although COVID varies from person to person, it is definitely not something to take lightly. I have been extremely sick the last week and have not even been able to get out of my own bed. On top of having everything symptom there is for COVID, the duration has lasted longer than usual.”

“I am very upset that I will not have the opportunity to compete for such an amazing organization and send my sincere apologies to everyone who supported me this camp. Thank you to my manager Ali for getting me this opportunity as well as Fouad Darwish for having me a part of his show. I will heal up and be back strong, thank you for all the support.”

Borg last competed for UAE Warriors in June where he picked up a unanimous decision win over Jesse Arnett. This latest UAE Warriors 23 fight was a really big deal not only because he was fighting for the promotion’s bantamweight belt, but because Dana White was going to be attending the show as part of his Lookin’ For A Fight YouTube series.

Borg amassed a 7-5 record with the UFC from 2014 to 2020 but struggled to consistently make weight. Cancelled bouts also plagued his career with the promotion with six bouts being cancelled and rescheduled over 2018. Behind the scenes, his newborn son was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and underwent numerous surgeries. After another fight withdrawal in 2020 to be with his son, the UFC decided to release Borg. But fans have been looking forward to potentially seeing him re-earn a spot in the UFC.

Here’s hoping Borg recovers fully from his bad bout of COVID-19 and continues his climb back up to the top.