Mike Brown Tests Positive For Coronavirus And Cannot Corner Jorge Masvidal At UFC 251

It seems to be something we’re going to have to get used to moving forward, or at least for the foreseeable future, but yet again someone scheduled to be at a UFC event has tested positive for Coronavirus, although this time it’s a cornerman, Mike Brown. MMA Fighting broke the news that the head trainer of American Top Team will no longer be able to give fight night advice to the contender, Jorge Masvidal, as a result of the positive test. Luckily, the late replacement himself has tested negative and will be able to compete for the Welterweight title, albeit without the help of the ex-WEC Featherweight Champion.

The news comes after the original contender for the UFC Welterweight Championship, Gilbert Burns, also tested positive for the virus and was no longer able to compete, thus passing the opportunity to Masvidal. While it was reported that Masvidal was originally unable or unwilling to come to an agreement with the UFC for his pay regarding the fight, the UFC presumably stepped up to the plate and rewarded him handsomely for saving the main event fight with Kamaru Usman on incredibly short notice.

Despite the positive test results, MMA Fighting was able to confirm that Mike Brown is “all good” and the first indications are that he may be much the same as Gilbert Burns and the first positive Coronavirus test to result in a fighter withdrawal, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at UFC 249. Both fighters reported no severe symptoms whatsoever and neither man seemed overly troubled by the positive results, other than of course the potential for passing the virus on further. This is a far cry from the first famous BJJ athlete to report contracting Coronavirus, Roger Gracie, who openly stated that he had an incredibly difficult time.

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