Thiago Santos out of Teixeira fight due to COVID
The match-up between top-ranked light heavyweights was originally set for the main event of UFC Vegas 10, but pushed back to October 3rd following Teixeira’s own positive test for the coronavirus.
The problem’s with the coronavirus and cancelled fights certainly don’t seem to be diminishing for the UFC. Back on September 3rd, the promotion revealed that Glover Teixeira had tested positive for COVID-19 and that his UFC Vegas 10 headlining bout against Thiago Santos had been rescheduled for October 3rd in Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately, it appears that plan is now off the table as well.
Globo’s Marcelo Barone reports, via Twitter, that Santos has now tested positive for the coronavirus as well. MMA Fighting has since confirmed the report, as well as the news that – following Santos’ diagnosis – the fight with Teixeira has once again been scrapped. It’s unclear at this time whether the UFC will look to re-book the fight again, or find Teixeira a new opponent.
Santos has not fought since losing a controversial split decision to light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in July of last year. During the fight ‘Marreta’ suffered a torn left meniscus, LCL, MCL, PCL, and cracked tibia, along with a partial tear to his right ACL.
For Teixeira, this bout marks his second booking of 2020. The longtime top-10 talent captured a remarkable victory over recent title challenger Anthony Smith just back in May.
UFC Fight Island 4 is set to take place on Yas Island, as part of the UFC’s second ‘Fight Island’ series of events. The card is scheduled to be headlined by a women’s bantamweight bout between former champion Holly Holm and top contender Irene Aldana. Teixeira vs. Santos had been planned for the night’s co-main booking.