COVID-19 infection pulls fighter from UFC on ESPN 12

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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a late shuffle to this weekend’s UFC card. Ramiz Brahimaj will have to wait a little longer to make his UFC debut. The LFA veteran has been pulle…

UFC 242: Makhachev v Ramos

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a late shuffle to this weekend’s UFC card.

Ramiz Brahimaj will have to wait a little longer to make his UFC debut. The LFA veteran has been pulled from his fight with Takashi Sato at this weekend’s UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker card after one of his corners tested positive for COVID-19.

According to MMA Fighting the news of Brahimaj’s removal was announced by the UFC late on Thursday night. The promotion also announced that they had found a short notice replacement for Brahimaj.

“Replacing Brahimaj will be UFC newcomer Jason Witt, pending medical clearance including a COVID-19 test,” said the UFC. “As a result, the commission has agreed to weigh in Witt separately and he will not participate in tomorrow’s official weigh-ins and faceoffs.”

This weekend’s UFC show, which sees Dustin Poirier fight Dan Hooker in the main event, is taking place at the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, NV. The UFC’s past four shows have taken place at the APEX, without fans, due to restrictions on social gatherings that have been in place since the outbreak of COVID-19.

At last week’s UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov Matt Frevola was pulled from the card after one of his corners, UFC lightweight Billy Quarantillo, tested positive for COVID-19. Frevola was replaced by Justin Jaynes. Jaynes then defeated Frank Camacho by first round TKO.