The fighters are currently taking the scales for the UFC Vegas 15 weigh-ins. However Curtis Blaydes will not be weighing in as a positive test for COVID-19 has forced him to withdraw from the main event.
The main event of UFC Vegas 15 was expected to be Blaydes taking on Derrick Lewis in a clash of heavyweight contenders. The division is in a bit of a stall at the top, with champ Stipe Miocic expected to rematch Francis Ngannou, and Jon Jones throwing himself into the fray. Yet this bout was expected to give both men the opportunity to prove themselves as viable contenders for a shot at that throne too.
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Curtis Blaydes Catches Covid
Unfortunately it seems that this bout will be waiting a bit longer. According to reports, a mere day before Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis were expected to square off for the UFC Vegas 15 main event, it was revealed that Curtis has tested positive for COVID-19 and is being forced from the event. That being said, the UFC is currently hopeful that the contest will be rescheduled for sometime next month.
“Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis — tomorrow night’s UFC main event — has been canceled, per multiple sources. Blaydes has tested positive for COVID.
The promotion is hoping to reschedule the fight in December, sources say, though that isn’t a done deal just yet.”
Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis — tomorrow night’s UFC main event — has been canceled, per multiple sources. Blaydes has tested positive for COVID.
The promotion is hoping to reschedule the fight in December, sources say, though that isn’t a done deal just yet.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 27, 2020
This is quite a massive blow to the card, especially given the short notice nature of the fight being canceled. To nobody’s surprise, Blaydes is not the only person, or even main event fighter, to be pulled from a UFC card on short notice. However with just over 24 hours until the contest, this is a big disappointment.
Hopefully Curtis Blaydes will be able to get back to action soon, and has no lingering side effects.
