Jorge Masvidal’s coach Mike Brown will no longer be in the fighter’s corner this Saturday following a positive COVID-19 test. The news was first reported by Combate and confirmed by MMA Fighting.
Brown tested positive for the coronavirus after traveling to Las Vegas from Coconut Creek, Florida, where the American Top Team headquarters is located. He was scheduled to depart for Abu Dhabi on Monday pending a negative test result, but now, Masvidal will have to fight without Brown in his corner. Masvidal will reportedly still have four corners for his welterweight title fight against Kamaru Usman.
Brown’s diagnosis is the latest positive COVID-19 test to shakeup this weekend’s event. In fact, Masvidal’s participation in the fight was prompted by Gilbert Burns’ removal from the event after Burns and his brother/cornerman and coach all tested positive for the virus. Yesterday, Pedro Munhoz, who was scheduled to fight Frankie Edgar on July 15, also tested positive for the virus and was removed from the card.
Thankfully, Masvidal himself has tested negative for the virus in Las Vegas, though he will be tested again once he arrives in Abu Dhabi.
