Gerald Meerschaert tests positive for COVID-19; Ed Herman fight off UFC on ESPN+ 31

Shortly before UFC on ESPN+ 31 is set to begin, the card has lost a notable fight between Gerald Meerschaert and Ed Herman.

MMA Junkie confirmed with a UFC official that the light heavyweight bout between Meerschaert (30-13 MMA, 6-5 UFC) and Herman (25-14 MMA, 12-10 UFC) will no longer take place on tonight’s card at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. As a result, the event proceeds with nine fights.

Brazilian news outlet Combate first reported that Meerschaert had tested positive for COVID-19 and was therefor deemed ineligible to compete, and the fighter subsequently confirmed the report and said he’s feeling well (via Twitter):

Tested positive for Covid so fights off. Feel healthy and will do everything I can to keep it that way and keep those around me safe.

— Gerald Meerschaert (@The_Real_GM3) August 1, 2020

Herman also reacted to the news on social media (via Instagram):

View this post on Instagram

Sorry everyone fights off ! Thanks for the unreal amount of support from everyone words can’t describe #family #teamshortfuse #teamherman

A post shared by Ed Herman (@edhermanufc) on Aug 1, 2020 at 2:45pm PDT

With the removal, the final UFC on ESPN+ 31 lineup includes:

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)

• Derek Brunson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
• Joanne Calderwood vs. Jennifer Maia
• Randy Brown vs. Vicente Luque
• Bobby Green vs. Lando Vannata
• Trevin Giles vs. Kevin Holland
• PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)
• Jonathan Martinez vs. Frankie Saenz
• Nate Maness vs. Johnny Munoz
• Vince Cachero vs. Jamall Emmers
• Cody Durden vs. Chris Gutierrez