Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The UFC increases its COVID-19 tests ahead of the “Fight Island” events in Abu Dhabi.
UFC testing procedures will be a lot stringent for the upcoming “Fight Island” events at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi this July. Fighters and their cornermen will need to undergo more tests, which begins the first week of July for those part of UFC 251.
US-based fighters will fly out to Las Vegas to undergo the first wave of tests. Brazil-based fighters will first stop at Sao Paulo to have their tests done, while those in other countries will first fly out to either Moscow or London, depending on their location.
A second test and a two-day quarantine are required in these anchor cities before flying out to Abu Dhabi, where another test will be done upon arrival.
MMA Fighting first reported the news and was later confirmed by ESPN.
UFC 251 takes place on July 11, and will feature three title fights: Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns, Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway, and Jose Aldo vs. Petr Yan.