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SCMP Martial Arts

The UFC hit its first snag in attempting to hold events in Florida when Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and two of his cornermen tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.
And now a video has emerged showing the Brazilian interacting with other fighters on the UFC 249 card at their hotel in Jacksonville.


Fellow Brazilian Fabricio Werdum, who fights Aleksei Oleinik on Saturday night at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, uploaded a video to his Instagram story with Souza after Friday’s official weigh-ins.
He later deleted the video, which shows Souza interacting and not social distancing with several fighters in the hotel. A fan screen-recorded the video and uploaded it on social media.

"Isolated" pic.twitter.com/fJaIsiuB0Y
— Austin Price (@AJPrice803) May 9, 2020

Souza has been removed from the card, with his bout against Uriah Hall cancelled. The event will still go ahead with the blessing of the state’s athletic commission.
The 40-year-old arrived in Florida on Wednesday and reportedly told the UFC a member of his family had the virus. He showed no symptoms and isolated himself, but then weighed in on Friday wearing a mask and gloves.

Uriah Hall and Jacare Souza keeping their distance #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/qYyvlRSpip
— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) May 8, 2020

Souza kept distance between himself and opponent Hall – who also wore a mask – for their official face-off after weighing in, but UFC president Dana White stood between the two fighters without wearing a mask.
“From their arrival earlier in the week until their departure today, Souza and his cornermen followed UFC health and safety protocols, including practising social distancing, wearing personnel protective equipment, and self-isolating whenever possible,” the UFC said in a statement.
ESPN reported Souza had been tested several times for the virus on Wednesday and Friday. No other fighters on the card had tested positive, the statement added.

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Souza seen with fellow fighters after official weigh-ins in Instagram story video uploaded by Fabricio Werdum
Video is later deleted after ‘Jacare’ and two of his cornermen test positive for Covid-19



Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza seen with fellow fighters in hotel at official UFC 249 weigh-ins, in an Instagram story video uploaded by Fabricio Werdum which is later deleted.


Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus pandemic: All stories