Figueiredo tests negative for coronavirus, cleared to travel to Abu Dhabi
Deiveson Figueiredo tested negative for the coronavirus Saturday, his team told ESPN's Ariel Helwani.
As a result, the flyweight contender will be allowed to travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday, his manager Wallid Ismail told MMA Fighting's Damon Martin. Figueiredo is scheduled to face Joseph Benavidez for the vacant title on July 18, but he will have to pass multiple other COVID-19 tests before being officially cleared for the fight, sources told Martin.
Figueiredo tested positive for the coronavirus Friday. However, he had the virus two months ago so the hope was that it was a false positive and he'd be able to fight Benavidez next weekend.
If Figueiredo isn't cleared for the bout, top contender Alexandre Pantoja will fill in, UFC president Dana White said Saturday. Pantoja, the No. 4-ranked flyweight, is currently slated to meet Askar Askarov at the same event.
Figueiredo, who's ranked No. 1 in the division, beat Benavidez via second-round knockout at UFC Norfolk in February. It was supposed to be for the vacant belt after Henry Cejudo relinquished the title last December, but the Brazilian missed weight.
Figueiredo is riding a three-fight winning streak and is 7-1 in the UFC.
Benavidez, No. 2, had won three straight fights before losing to Figueiredo.