UFC 253: Andre Pederneiras tests positive for COVID-19
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For the second time in four months, Nova Uniao leader Andre Pederneiras has tested positive for COVID-19. Back in May, the coach had what turned out to be a false positive, when he turned his Rio de Janeiro arena into a temporary hospital to help treat patients of the disease. Already in Abu Dhabi to coach female bantamweight Ketlen Vieira for her fight against Sijara Eubanks at UFC 253, Pederneiras will no longer be able to do so.
Pederneiras is the first person to test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival on Fight Island. The UFC protocol managed to catch fighters and coaches before leaving hub cities around the world in July. But the company changed its protocol this time around. Instead of having Sao Paulo as one of the hub cities. The UFC had Brazilian-based people fly to London on commercial flights for tests before leaving for Abu Dhabi.
Andre Pederneiras not being in Ketlen Viera’s corner at UFC 253
Katlen spoke on the Pederneiras’ situation and said that she is all the more motivated to go out in the octagon and make him prouder. Vieira added that she did not have any contact with Pederneiras on her way to Abu Dhabi. Hence she was allowed to proceed and fight Eubanks. Former Bellator bantamweight champion Marcos Galvao will be her only corner at UFC 253.
In her last outing, Ketlen Vieira lost her unbeaten record when she got knocked out by Irene Aldana back in December. Before that, the 29-year-old was on a 4-fight winning streak in the UFC. Including victories over Kelly Faszholz, Ashlee Evans-Smith, Sara McMann, Cat Zingano.
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Yakshpat Bhargava
(3989 Articles Published)