UFC 249: Dana White admits ‘optics look really bad’ on video of coronavirus-infected Jacare Souza

UFC president plays down fears of coronavirus transmission after Souza is filmed mingling with fighters at hotel

‘It wasn’t for a long period of time, he went over to do something quick,’ says White

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Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza with Fabricio Werdum after the weigh-ins at the UFC 249 hotel in Florida. Photo: Instagram

Published: 7:01pm, 10 May 2020Updated: 7:01pm, 10 May 2020

Dana White admitted “the optics look bad” after a video emerged of coronavirus-infected Jacare Souza mingling with other fighters at the UFC 249 hotel in Jacksonville, Florida.

The video, uploaded by Fabricio Werdum, was quickly deleted after it was announced his fellow Brazilian had tested positive for Covid-19. The news came after Souza weighed in for his fight with Uriah Hall, which was promptly scrapped from Saturday night’s card.

Souza is now off-site isolating along with his team – two of whom also tested positive – but it was reported by ESPN that the veteran fighter disclosed upon arriving at the Hyatt Regency hotel on Wednesday that he had had contact with a family member who showed symptoms of the virus. The UFC said Souza isolated himself, but he was still allowed to weigh-in and face off with Hall on Friday.

“What I'm hearing about that situation is I know that there was some video that happened, it wasn't for a long period of time,” White said. “He went over to do something real quick.

“The optics obviously look really bad on that one. But this was our first one … even the stare down, he stayed away from me, from Uriah. He had gloves and a mask.”