MMA
Ian Heinisch back in UFC 250 after cornerman tests negative for COVID-19
In a reversal, Ian Heinisch is once more scheduled to face Gerald Meerschaert in a middleweight bout at UFC 250.
Heinisch had been pulled from the fight for precautionary reasons after one of his cornermen tested positive for COVID-19. The cornerman then took a second test, which came back negative, giving Heinisch a second chance. He's still on the roster for the card, MMAFighting.com reported late Thursday.
The positive test was first reported by TSN's Aaron Bronsteter and confirmed by MMA Junkie.
UFC 250 is scheduled for Saturday at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The Nevada State Athletic Commission is overseeing the event with new COVID-19 safety protocols in place. Because a person affiliated with Heinisch tested positive in the closed setting, the fighter associated with the positive test needed to be pulled to prevent a possible spread of the coronavirus to others involved in the event.
Bronsteter reported the cornerman would be tested again to determine whether there was a false positive.
This was the first known positive UFC test since Ronaldo Souza tested positive and was pulled the day before UFC 249.
The UFC brought in newcomer Anthony Ivy as Heinisch's potential replacement, but it appears Heinisch will now be brought back to fight in the preliminary bout.
This article has been updated throughout with new information.
