Matt Frevola details fallout from UFC on ESPN 11 fight cancellation due to COVID-19
Matt Frevola was already on the premises in Las Vegas when his UFC on ESPN 11 fight was canceled.
The promotion pulled Frevola (8-1-1 MMA, 2-1-1 UFC) from the June 20 card after his cornerman, training partner and fellow UFC fighter, Billy Quarantillo, tested positive for COVID-19 upon fight week check-in. Although Quarantillo presented two positive tests, Frevola presented zero. Additionally, his antibody test showed that he had already had the virus.
Despite this, the UFC still wouldn’t let him fight. Although it was disappointing, Frevola told MMA Junkie on Wednesday that he understood the promotion’s decision.
“I had two negative tests that week, so I thought I was good to fight,” Frevola said. “Then late Wednesday night, they told me it was off. … Yeah, I get (the decision). I mean, these are unprecedented times. I guess you’ve got to play on the side of caution for now.”
After the fight was canceled, Frevola and Quarantillo were deemed flight risks by the state of Nevada and weren’t allowed to leave by airplane. Instead, the two drove from Las Vegas to Tampa where their training camp took place.
“It was quite the journey,” Frevola said. “Every time we’d stop for gas, I was getting all my food and all my candy I wanted to eat. I was enjoying munching on the car ride. We did it. We drove all the way to Florida. I was down in Florida. I quarantined and did 14 days in Florida. Then I got tested and got my seventh negative COVID test. Once I got that, I went home, and now I’m home on Long Island. I’m kind of trying to plan out this next fight camp.”
Frevola revealed the UFC compensated him despite not fighting June 20. Not only did the promotion pay him his show money, but it also awarded him his win bonus, as well.
“They really took care of me,” Frevola said. “They paid me my show and my win. It definitely took a little bit of the salt out of the wound. Yeah, they took care of me.”
As for what’s next, Frevola said he’s fully cleared and is eyeing an August return. After watching last weekend’s UFC on ESPN 12, Frevola has figured out who he’d like to fight next.
“We told them hopefully Aug. 15,” Frevola said. “I’d love to get on that pay-per-view card with Stipe and D.C., but August for sure – mid to late August.
“I’d like to fight Khama Worthy to be honest with you. I was impressed with him beating ‘Violent Bob Ross’ (Luis Pena). I think that would be a good fight. But we’ll see. We have some names, and we’re talking with the UFC now. Yeah, I’d like to definitely fight Khama Worthy eventually.”