Just a day before UFC 249, Jacare Souza tested positive for COVID-19. He was scheduled to fight Uriah Hall in the prelims card of UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Even if Jacare has tested positive, UFC 249 will go on as scheduled as the remainder of the 23 fighters have tested negative for the virus. The news was first reported by Stephen A. Smith of ESPN on Thursday who was notified by UFC executives.
The 40-year old arrived in Jacksonville, Florida, and told UFC that one of his family members had tested positive for the COVID-19. The UFC officials were quick to react and he was immediately tested and put in the isolation ward.
Souza also appeared for the weigh-ins and he was wearing masks and he was the only fighter to also wear gloves along with masks.
MMA twitter lost it’s mind when the news of Jacare Souza testing positive was released by the UFC.
Two of Jacare’s cornerman also tested positive for COVID-19, per sources.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 9, 2020
What does it mean that Jacare was isolated?
Did he have people with him? Did he do even light training with them in any capacity?
Who did they have contact with?
Did he share any facilities with anyone Did he ride an elevator with others?
You see, this is the problem.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) May 9, 2020
Gutted to hear about @jacaremma . Hope he recovers fully and quickly. No doubt he will. Also fucking gutted about not seeing @uriahhallmma vs jacare. Would of been a interesting clash of style and a fight that was guaranteed to deliver.
— michael (@bisping) May 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/amandansanchez/status/1258949535105191936?s=20
First of all you hope Jacare and his family will be okay. Second, you hope he and Hall will both be paid. But also, you wonder if anyone learned anything about the testing and safety procedures from this experience that will change how they do things for the next two events.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) May 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/alexscaffidi_/status/1258971607420338176?s=20
During the faceoffs today, Jacare was standing very far away from Uriah Hall.
This was the only faceoff where this occurred. https://t.co/AkYVGQjxOm pic.twitter.com/MK1zhpohS4
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 9, 2020
If Jacare wasn’t wearing gloves and a mask right here this whole event would probably be off pic.twitter.com/1Ljzl7pG30
— Baked (@BakedHolloway) May 9, 2020
This was earlier today from Werdum’s Instagram story.
“Jacare” very close with a group of people all certainly within 6 feet. pic.twitter.com/x1Dcus734G
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) May 9, 2020
Immediate thoughts are with Jacare Souza. Hoping he can get through this 🙏
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) May 9, 2020
For what it’s worth, Jacare Souza told me last week that he was going to be driving to Jacksonville in his family car with his corner people. He lives near Orlando. Did not fly in. Also, Jacare had been training exclusively out of his home gym with coaches and few teammates.
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) May 9, 2020
@JacareMMA Brother I know it sucks I’m sorry you have to go through this I am beyond devastated for the missed opportunity I wish you nothing but recovery for you and your family.
— U R I A H H A L L (@UriahHallMMA) May 9, 2020
The other 23 fighters on the UFC 249 card tested negative for COVID-19, per sources.
Jacare has left the hotel, per sources.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 9, 2020
Jacare Souza has tested positive for COVID-19 and won’t fight
UFC 249 is still taking place after approval by the Florida athletic commission, per @bokamotoESPN pic.twitter.com/vqci4cA4u1
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 9, 2020
me trying to sleep after hearing Jacare tested positive for Covid 19 but the fights are still on for tomorrow:#UFC249 pic.twitter.com/Lk1Mlkp4q0
— MacMally🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) May 9, 2020
So fuckin gutted for Jacare and Hall, hoping they test after the fights are over as well. I know I’m self quarantining as soon as I get back home.
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) May 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/AndreMfnEazy/status/1258951112226304003?s=20
Appearing on @SportsCenter, @arielhelwani says he's been told that aside from Jacare, the other 23 fighters of #UFC249 have tested negative for the coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/88SOG34Dma
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 9, 2020
Jacare Souza has tested positive for COVID-19. Here's what I was told. pic.twitter.com/3RtslcL6rf
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/JESnowden/status/1258973792858189829?s=20
This old quote from Jacare (courtesy of Guilherme Cruz) makes me feel sick. This is the story for a lot of people, in a lot of lines of work. It's certainly not unique to him. But it's just… horrible. It's just horrible. pic.twitter.com/3EbnAUJtZJ
— The Naked Gambler (@NakedGambling) May 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/JESnowden/status/1258948498927517707?s=20
https://twitter.com/bigdinosaur70/status/1258946078432526339?s=20
So it turns out that one of Jacare's family members had Covid-19, but he did inform everyone.
For that, he was isolated and tested which came back positive and deemed him asymptomatic.He wore gloves and a mask the whole time and seemed to make sure to keep away from others.
— Weasle (@ThaWeasle) May 9, 2020
If Jacare disclosed he had contact with an infected relative and was immediately removed from the card before traveling to the event site, then it would show how effective the UFC's safety protocols were…that's what happened right? #UFC249
— Anthony Walker (@AntWalkerMMA) May 9, 2020
So three fighters (Lyman Good, Alex Hernandez, and Jacare Souza) linked to #UFC249 have or had COVID-19. Yeah the show must go on
— Anthony Walker (@AntWalkerMMA) May 9, 2020
Dana White: Jacare was “isolated” upon arrival #ufc249 pic.twitter.com/Tk9hLzX8s7
— Breezy Puffs 😷 (@BreezyPuffs) May 9, 2020
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