UFC 256 has taken a hit as two fights are off the card due to positive COVID-19 tests.
The first fight off the card is the rematch between Angela Hill and Tecia Torres. Hill announced on social media she tested positive for COVID-19.
Tested positive for Covid and won’t be fighting next week. Tried to stay as safe as possible during fightcamp but with mma training there’s virtually no social distancing. Was looking forward to running it back, maybe in the near future. #CovidFuckingUpEveryonesSeason #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/karOTjqZO2
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) December 7, 2020
“Tested positive for Covid and won’t be fighting next week. Tried to stay as safe as possible during fight camp but with MMA training there’s virtually no social distancing. Was looking forward to running it back, maybe in the near future,” Hill wrote on Twitter.
It is no doubt disappointing news for Hill as this was a rematch five years in the making. They first met at UFC 188 in 2015 with Torres winning by decision. At this time, it is also uncertain if the UFC will look to rebook the fight for early 2021.
The other fight off the card is Karl Roberson vs. Dalcha Lungiambula due to Roberson testing positive for COVID-19.
To my family, friends, and team champion. Thank you so much for the love and support.
My opponent @karlbabyk has been diagnosed with COVID-19, therefore @UFC has decided to move our fight to the 19th DECEMBER 2020. Wishing @K_babyk_roberson a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/PI7fM3SJAY
— Dalcha Lungiambula (@Dalcha_Champion) December 7, 2020
“To my family, friends, and team champion. Thank you so much for the love and support. My opponent @karlbabyk has been diagnosed with COVID-19, therefore @UFC has decided to move our fight to the 19th DECEMBER 2020. Wishing (Karl Roberson) a speedy recovery,” he revealed.
The good news, however, is the fact the fight will be postponed a week to December 19. So, both men will remain in Las Vegas and extend their training camp by a week.
Karl Roberson is coming off a first-round submission loss to Marvin Vettori. Before that, he submitted Roman Kopylov and edged out a decision over Wellington Turman.
Dalcha Lungiambula, meanwhile, is coming off a knockout loss to Magomed Ankalaev last November. In his UFC debut, the 35-year-old beat Dequan Townsend by TKO.
With Torres vs. Hill and Roberson vs. Lungiambula off the card, UFC 256 is now as follows:
- Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno
- Tony Ferguson vs. Charles Oliveira
- Rafael Fiziev vs. Renato Moicano
- Kevin Holland vs. Ronaldo Souza
- Junior Dos Santos vs. Ciryl Gane
- Daniel Pineda vs. Cub Swanson
- Mackenzie Dern vs. Virna Jandiroba
- Billy Quarantillo vs. Gavin Tucker
- Serghei Spivac vs. Jared Vanderaa
- Dwight Grant vs. Li Jingliang
- Peter Barrett vs. Chase Hooper
UFC 256 goes down at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 12 and airs live on pay-per-view.
