It seems that COVID-19 affecting UFC events this year has become the norm as multiple positive tests has led to two fight cancellations and one opponent change at UFC Vegas 17.
Aiemann Zahabi will not be fighting this weekend as the Canadian announced through his social media that he had contracted COVID-19 prior to flying to Las Vegas.
“For my pre-flight COVID-19 test I ended up getting a positive result, and I ended up getting sick for a couple of days, so I was not able to fly out to Las Vegas to compete this Saturday,” Zahabi said on his video.
Zahabi was set to face Drako Rodriguez in a bantamweight bout. According to a UFC official, a replacement opponent will not be available for Rodriguez
A bout between Belal Muhammad and Dhiego Lima was cancelled earlier this week. Muhammad announced on his social media that he had tested positive for COVID-19. Sources report a replacement will not be found for Lima however the UFC are looking to reschedule the bout for January in Abu Dhabi.
Rick Glenn will be replaced by Christos Giagos after Glenn tested positive for COVID-19. The news of the positive test and Giagos’s initial involvement was first reported by BJPenn.com reporter Alfredo Zullino. Giagos is stepping in on a week’s notice to face Carlton Minus.
UFC Vegas 17 will be headlined by Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson vs Geoff Neal in the welterweight division. The event will take place at the UFC APEX, Las Vegas.
Here is the updated lineup:
Main Card
Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal
Jose Aldo vs. Marlon Vera
Khaos Williams vs. Michel Pereira
Marlon Moraes vs. Rob Font
Gillian Robertson vs. Taila Santos
Marcin Tybura vs. Greg Hardy
Preliminary card
Anthony Pettis vs. Alex Morono
Sijara Eubanks vs. Pannie Kianzad
Karl Roberson vs. Dalcha Lungiambula
Deron Winn vs. Antonio Arroyo
Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jamie Pickett
Cody Durden vs. Jimmy Flick
Carlton Minus vs. Christos Giagos
Featured Image
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