New year, same old setbacks. Okay, so we’re still in 2020 but Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) first scheduled event of 2021 has already taken a hit as a result of COVID-19.
According to MMA Fighting a scheduled bout between Jordan Espinosa and Tim Elliott — which was scheduled to go down at UFC Fight Island 7 on Jan. 16, 2021 — has been moved to UFC 259 after Espinosa tested positive for coronavirus. UFC 259 is expected to take place on March 6 at a located that has yet-to-be determined.
Espinosa is coming off a loss to David Dvo?ák last September, his third loss in last four outings. Elliott, meanwhile, snapped his three-fight losing streak in his last outing against Ryan Benoit.
UFC Fight Island 7 is set to be headlined by a pivotal Featherweight out between former division champion, Max Holloway, taking on Calin Kattar. UFC 259 will be headlined by a women’s Featherweight title bout as Amanda Nunes defends her strap against Megan Anderson.
In further action, Dominick Cruz will face Casey Kenny, Joseph Benavidez will take on Askar Askarov and Thiago Santos will take on Aleksandar Rakic.