Top UFC Bantamweight Contender Tests Positive For COVID-19

Ranked number one in the UFC’s bantamweight rankings, Marlon Moraes and his wife are currently recovering after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Moraes (23-6-1) stated he and his wife were admitted to a hospital after feeling symptoms ten days before getting tested. While minimal for him, he wanted to make sure his wife was safe. Their kids did not test positive for the virus.

“Unfortunately, I got the virus — me and my wife. We were very weak, the symptoms were very strong on us,” Moraes told ESPN Brazil. “Thank God I didn’t need to go to the hospital, but I had to take my wife to the hospital. “We spent a day at the hospital. She was treated by them, she took some medicines, then she stayed under observation.”

Making his MMA debut in 2007, Moraes won the World Series of Fighting Bantamweight Title back in 2015. He defended it five times before joining the UFC in 2017. “Magic” is 5-2 with the promotion, the second loss coming against Henry Cejudo at UFC 238 last June. A UFC Bantamweight Title fight, Cejudo won via TKO to win the vacant title.

Moraes rebounded with a win over Jose Aldo at UFC 245. if everything works out well, he is hoping to be back by October. It appears the UFC is planning a bout between him and former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt. The winner could be closer to receiving another world title opportunity.