Video footage has emerged of UFC middleweight Ronaldo Souza, who tested positive for coronavirus, interacting and not social distancing around several fellow fighters.
On Friday night, ‘Jacare’ was removed from his scheduled bout with Uriah Hall at UFC 249 after testing positive for coronavirus. The event is scheduled to still happen Saturday night in Jacksonville, Fla., with the blessing of the state athletic commission. Two of Souza’s cornermen also tested positive for COVID-19.
The video, uploaded to Fabricio Werdum’s Instagram story on Friday and later deleted, contradicts a UFC statement that Souza and his team followed social distancing guidelines. It appears to have been recorded prior to faceoffs and shows a shirtless “Jacare” with gloves and mask. He comes nearly face to face with Werdum as other fighters hover around nearby.
A fan screen-recorded Werdum’s Instagram story, as seen below:
The UFC’s statement stressed Souza and his team’s complete compliance with safety protocol and social distancing guidelines in place after he informed them that a family member had been infected upon his arrival Wednesday.
“From their arrival earlier in the week until their departure today, Souza and his cornermen followed UFC health and safety protocols, including practicing social distancing, wearing personnel protective equipment, and self-isolating whenever possible,” the UFC stated.
It was noted in an ESPN report that Souza had been tested multiple times for COVID-19 on Wednesday and Friday. It’s unclear which test revealed the positive result. The UFC has worked directly with the Florida State Athletic Commission to enforce several safety protocols in place throughout fight week.
