The co-head light heavyweight event has been removed from the UFC on ESPN 15 card after a fighter tested positive for COVID-19.
Ovince Saint Preux tested positive for the virus and will no longer fight Alonzo Menifield in Las Vegas on Saturday night, the UFC confirmed to MMA Fighting. His manager confirmed the positive tests before the fight was set to take place, per MMA Fighting.
UFC officials have now confirmed that the OSP vs. Menifield fight is shocking. It will be posted at a later date.
New start time for the prelims will be 6.30pm ET https://t.co/nAXwY58rA5
– Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) August 22, 2020
Saint Preux tests positive and negative during the week
Saint Preux tested positive and negative for the virus this week, per KOReps. A positive test on Saturday is what eliminated him from the competition.
He feels ‘100 percent’, his team told MMA Fighting. They allegedly offered to pay for a quick COVID test to prove he could compete, but the UFC decided to postpone it.
The UFC said in a statement to MMA Fighting:
“Through a positive COVID-19 test, Ovince Saint Preux’s lightweight championship against Alonzo Menifield has been removed from last night’s card and will be replayed at a later date.”
The prelims will move to 6.30pm ET, per MMA Fighting.
Nine bolts remain on map
The UFC on ESPN 15 card is anchored by former UFC lightweight champion and fieldweight challenger Frankie Edgar taking over Pedro Munhoz. Munhoz ranks fifth.
The map has already undergone a few changes. It was rumored that Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington were heading the map. Shamil Gamzatov was set against Saint Preux, but pulled out of the fight early, via MMA Mania. Yoel Romero and Uriah Hall should also be on the map as co-headliners.
Ovince Saint Preux and Alonzo Menifield will no longer come out on Saturday after a positive COVID-19 test. (Chris Unger / Zuffa LLC)
