Francis Ngannou says he’s been tested for COVID-19, may fight at UFC 249
With Dana White and the UFC reportedly looking to shuffle the deck and bring more big fights to their UFC 249 PPV scheduled for April 18, there may be a heavyweight fight added to the event. Former heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou had been scheduled to face Jairzinho Rozenstruik on March 28 in Columbus, Ohio but that fight was postponed due to restrictions place on large-crowd gatherings in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made a major impact throughout the everyday world and in the world of sports, including combat sports, and as UFC President Dana White pushes to keep putting on events despite restrictions, there have been questions as to whether or not UFC fighters would be tested for COVID-19.
According to one fighter, Ngannou, it would appear as if the UFC makes an effort to shuffle the deck for UFC 249, they’re taking precautions. During an interview with Submission Radio, Ngannou revealed he was recently tested for COVID-19 and added that there’s a chance his fight against Rozenstruik could be moved to UFC 249.
Is the #UFC testing fighters for #COVIDー19? @francis_ngannou confirms they are as he prepares to potentially fight at #UFC249!
📽FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/RL01otouJJ
If the event happens who wants to see Francis added to the card? 🙋♂️What other fights do you want to see?👇 pic.twitter.com/ngZMk1r5Gt
— Submission Radio (@SubmissionRadio) March 25, 2020
“There is a chance that I can be fighting on that card, but they have to settle everything down. Like, for now, it seems like they have a location, but they have to double check and see how they can handle this event safely for people. Because, first of all, it’s not just about (fighters). They are not just expecting to work with people that are fighting, they’re also trying to make things to care about our health.”
Ngannou went on to reveal more details about him being tested, saying he went through the UFC to have his test done.
“So, I got tested, they got me tested or the COVID-19, so I gues they tested other fighters, which is kind of like a postiive thing, and like, makes you feel a bit safe to get close or along with those people. [I was tested] a week ago, it was the UFC. It was the doctor, but through the UFC.”
The heavyweight contender would later reveal that he tested negative for COVID-19 and he’s healthy if the UFC wants to schedule him for a fight. There’s no official announcement from the UFC if this is a fight that will be moved to the PPV event, Francis Ngannou is optimistic the postponed fight will happen sooner than later.
