Thiago Santos tests positive for COVID-19; Glover Teixeira fight postponed again
After Glover Teixeira’s positive COVID-19 test postponed their original fight date, Thiago Santos has also been diagnosed with the disease, which has pushed the bout back further.
UFC president Dana White on Tuesday confirmed a report from Combate that Santos (21-7 MMA, 13-6 UFC) had tested positive for coronavirus. The planned fight with fellow light heavyweight contender Teixeira (31-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC) won’t take place Oct. 3 and has been postponed to an unknown date.
White told reporters, including MMA Junkie, the news during the Dana White Contender Series 33 post-fight news conference.
Santos and Teixeira were originally slated to meet at UFC on ESPN+ 35 on Sept. 12. Teixeira tested positive leading up to the contest, though, which initially led to the rescheduled October date.
Santos hasn’t fought since a July 2019 loss to Jon Jones in a bout for the 205-pound title. He was the first in UFC history to take a scorecard from “Bones,” in the split-decision loss but required double knee surgery afterward and has yet to make his return.
Teixeira, meanwhile, is riding a strong wave of four consecutive wins. He beat Anthony Smith at UFC on ESPN+ 29 in May to enter back into the title conversation after losing his first chance to Jones in 2013.