Despite a battery of health tests designed to mitigate the danger of Covid-19 ahead of UFC events, it seems some cases are still slipping through the net.
It was announced by the UFC that Ramiz Brahimaj has been removed from Saturday’s fight card at the UFC’s Apex facility in Las Vegas after one of the fighter’s cornermen tested positive for the potentially deadly virus. Brahimaj was intended to make his maiden UFC appearance against Takashi Sato, and his place on the card will go to fellow promotional newcomer Jason Witt (pending medical clearance).
“Due to a positive COVID-19 test result from one of his cornermen, Ramiz Brahimaj has been removed from his bout against Takashi Sato,” the UFC announced.
“Replacing Brahimaj will be UFC newcomer Jason Witt, pending medical clearance including a COVID-19 test. 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.”
Witt, who is a student of UFC vet James Krause, has won nine of his last ten fights with his only defeat during that period coming in 2013. Sato, meanwhile, is 1-1 in the organisation following a debut win against Ben Saunders and defeat in his second fight to Belal Muhammad.
UFC on ESPN 12 will be headlined by a crunch lightweight showdown between former title contender Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker, winner of seven of his last eight fights in the Octagaon.
