Tony Ferguson (photo via YouTube)

By FCF Staff

As the Ultimate Fighting Championship prepares to hold an event this Saturday in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, it has reportedly informed fighters they will be tested for the virus prior to their respective bouts.

UFC 249 is set to take place at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. The card was originally booked for April 18th in Brooklyn, New York, but due to restrictions enacted to battle the pandemic, the card was postponed and relocated.

According to a report from MMA Junkie, the UFC recently emailed fighters scheduled to fight this Saturday, and informed them they will be tested for COVID-19. The email reportedly stated:

“Upon completion of the UFC Medical Team administered COVID-19 test, the UFCPI Performance Dietitian will conduct a fight week screen that includes but isn’t limited to: weight, nutritional status, food allergies or intolerances and weight cut tactics.”

No additional details regarding whether fighters will be tested for the virus more than once were provided. ESPN has also reported that fighters will receive both a diagnostic swab coronavirus test and an antibody test.

UFC 249 will be headlined by a bout between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje for an interim lightweight title.