UFC Combat Island 7 loses bout to COVID-19

A bantamweight bout among Ricky Simon and Brian Kelleher slated for UFC Combat Island 7 has been canceled mainly because of a beneficial COVID-19 check. It marks the next time that a COVID-19 examination result has nixed the fight.

Simon and Kelleher were being to begin with supposed to have fought at UFC Vegas 9 in September. The bout was postponed from that party due to the fact a single of Simon’s cornermen tested optimistic for COVID-19. Kelleher instead confronted Ray Rodriguez, whom he submitted in 39 seconds.

The battle with Simon was then rescheduled for Jan. 16 at UFC Fight Island 7 in Abu Dhabi. It has been canceled once all over again for the reason that of COVID-19 right after Kelleher examined constructive.

Kelleher tweeted the cancellation, noting that he thinks it was a bogus beneficial that forced him out of the bout.

“I consider it is a untrue constructive, to be sincere. Will find out shortly. I’ll be back again shortly. Thanks for individuals who confirmed concern,” Kelleher wrote.

“All the people today I’ve been close proximity with have tested detrimental. Hope to get this fight rebooked early February. I know you wanna see this battle.”

I imagine it is a bogus favourable to be genuine.Will obtain out before long. I’ll be back soon. Many thanks for all those who confirmed problem. All the individuals I have been shut proximity with have analyzed negative. Hope to get this struggle rebooked early February. I know you wanna see this struggle

— Baldy Ed (@brianboom135) January 2, 2021

Kelleher is thus much asymptomatic, but hopes that a follow-up examination will prove negative and he can get the fight rebooked promptly.

“Put a large amount of function in to peak at a sure time. Which is the difficult aspect. Gotta reset and maintain on trying to keep on,” he continued.

“Hoping to get a negative examination shortly and rebook this fight for early February. My girlfriend and schooling companions are adverse and I come to feel no signs and symptoms, so hopefully bogus good.”

Put a large amount of operate in to peak at a selected time. That’s the tough component. Gotta reset and keep on preserving on. Hoping to get a unfavorable exam quickly and rebook this fight for early feb. my girlfriend and training partners are destructive and I really feel no signs so With any luck , untrue good

— Baldy Ed (@brianboom135) January 2, 2021

UFC Struggle Island 7 is headlined by former featherweight champion Max Holloway, who squares off with Calvin Kattar. It is the promotion’s first of a few activities set to consider place about an eight-day span in Abu Dhabi. UFC Struggle Island 8 is slated for Wednesday, Jan. 20. Conor Mcgregor returns to rematch Dustin Poirier in the UFC 257 headliner on Saturday, Jan. 20.

It will be the third time that the UFC has traveled to Fight Island to host functions given that the practically world wide coronavirus shutdown in the spring of 2020.