Moraes recently tested positive for COVID-19
Top-ranked UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes revealed he recently tested positive for COVID-19, according to ESPN's Gustavo Faldon.
Moraes' wife also tested positive, but their two kids haven't been infected. He began feeling symptoms associated with the coronavirus about 10 days ago.
"Unfortunately, I got the virus - me and my wife. We were very weak, the symptoms were very strong on us. Thank God I didn't need to go to the hospital, but I had to take my wife to the hospital," Moraes said. "We spent a day at the hospital. She was treated by them, she took some medicines, then she stayed under observation."
Moraes hasn't fought in the UFC since December, long before the coronavirus was declared a global pandemic. He defeated Jose Aldo in that bout.
Upon recovering from COVID-19, the 32-year-old will set his sights on former 135-pound champion and third-ranked contender Cody Garbrandt for an October fight.
"The fight has already been offered, on my part it has already been accepted. I'm just waiting for the UFC," he said.
Despite Moraes' status as the No. 1 contender, Aljamain Sterling is expected to draw the next title fight against newly crowned champion Petr Yan.