Former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon Moraes has tested positive for COVID-19.
According to ESPN Brazil, both Moraes and his wife tested positive for COVID-19, with Moraes’ wife forced to spend the day in the hospital. Moraes reportedly claimed that they both felt “weak,” with the symptoms hitting them hard.
Moraes (23-6-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC), who recently moved to American Top Team, is the latest member of the Florida-based gym to contract the coronavirus. Head coach Mike Brown recently tested positive for COVID-19 and was unable to corner Jorge Masvidal for his welterweight championship fight at UFC 251.
Meanwhile, ATT’s jiu-jitsu coach Marcos “Parrumpa” DaMatta also tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Las Vegas. He eventually tested negative days later and was able to board the flight to Abu Dhabi in time to corner Alexandre Pantoja, who is set to take on Askar Askarov at UFC on ESPN+ 30 on Saturday.
After falling short in his pursuit to capture the UFC bantamweight title, Moraes rebounded with a split-decision win over Jose Aldo last December at UFC 245. But, rather than Moraes receiving a shot at the title, Aldo was given the shot instead and lost to Petr Yan at UFC 251.
Moraes recently called out former UFC bantamweight champions Dominick Cruz and Cody Garbrandt, with Garbrandt stating that he had agreed to fight the Brazilian in October, but the UFC is yet to make an official announcement for the bout.
