“Devastated” – UFC champion confirms Covid-19 positive test as UFC 260 title clash is cancelled

published

by

Saiyed Adeem Karim

Alexander Volkanovski is the Featherweight champion but his UFC 260 title clash is off after he tested positive for Covid-19

UFC 260 had a few quality title fights but one of them has been cancelled after a champion tested positive for Covid-19.

Alexander Volkanovski was to defend his Featherweight title against Brian Ortega next week. However, The Great shared some bad news on his social media accounts.

Alexander Volkanovski is a UFC champion too
Alexander Volkanovski yells after five rounds against UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway in their title fight during UFC 245 at T-Mobile Arena on December 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Volkanovski took the title by unanimous decision. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

Volkanovski is 22-1 in his MMA career and was looking to get another win over Ortega. The Australian posted an update and shared when he tested positive for the virus.

Volkanovski was negative when he left Australia and also negative when be entered the UFC bubble. However, he tested positive for Covid-19 in the bubble and he was “gutted” learning about this.

The fight has been cancelled due to Covid-19 protocols and it is to be seen what happens next for Volkanovski.

UFC Featherweight division needed this fight

Volkanovski is one of the rising stars in the UFC and his fight against Ortega would have been something special.

It was the set up to another big fight for the winner of this. Max Holloway, the former Champion, had got the title shot next.

Volkanovski and Holloway met twice in the UFC and controversy was there in both the fights. Many believed that Holloway won the second fight and should have been the champion.

Max Holloway broke GSP's record in the UFC
Max Holloway (L) celebrates after his unanimous-decision victory over Calvin Kattar in a featherweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 17, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

However, Holloway was excellent in his recent win over Calvin Kattar and he seems to be back to his best.

Covid-19 is a dangerous virus that has affected many top UFC stars. Khamzat Chimaev is one example of the virus having adverse effects.

The Swede has seen his fight against Leon Edwards get postponed and then cancelled. He is still struggling with the after-effects despite overcoming the virus.

Hopefully nothing of that sort happens with Volkanovski. He has been excellent in the UFC and our best wishes go out to him as he starts his recovery from the virus.

More UFC news

Follow our dedicated UFC page for instant UFC news and updates