Shortly before UFC on ESPN+ 31 is set to begin, the card has lost a notable fight between [autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag] and [autotag]Ed Herman[/autotag].
MMA Junkie confirmed with a UFC official that the light heavyweight bout between Meerschaert (30-13 MMA, 6-5 UFC) and Herman (25-14 MMA, 12-10 UFC) will no longer take place on tonight’s card at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. As a result, the event proceeds with nine fights.
Brazilian news outlet Combate first reported that Meerschaert had tested positive for COVID-19 and was therefor deemed ineligible to compete, and the fighter subsequently confirmed the report and said he’s feeling well (via Twitter):
Tested positive for Covid so fights off. Feel healthy and will do everything I can to keep it that way and keep those around me safe.
— Gerald Meerschaert (@The_Real_GM3) August 1, 2020
Herman also reacted to the news on social media (via Instagram):
With the removal, the final UFC on ESPN+ 31 lineup includes:
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)
- Derek Brunson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
- Joanne Calderwood vs. Jennifer Maia
- Randy Brown vs. Vicente Luque
- Bobby Green vs. Lando Vannata
- Trevin Giles vs. Kevin Holland
- PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)
- Jonathan Martinez vs. Frankie Saenz
- Nate Maness vs. Johnny Munoz
- Vince Cachero vs. Jamall Emmers
- Cody Durden vs. Chris Gutierrez
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