Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza Releases First Statement After Coronavirus Diagnosis

May 14, 2020

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza was originally slated to be a part of last weekend’s UFC 249 in a bout against Uriah Hall, but was pulled from the card after testing positive for COVID-19 in pre-fight screening. His cornermen also tested positive for the virus, and fingers are crossed that the safety measures the UFC put into place for the event and the leadup to it have been enough to prevent others from catching it as well.

Now, Souza has shared his first statement about the situation since his diagnosis, saying that he still hopes his planned fight with Hall will move forward in the future.

View this post on Instagram

Fiquei muito triste por não poder lutar no UFC 249, mas quero que saibam que, assim que estiver liberado, espero remarcar minha luta com o Uriah Hall para que eu possa dar o show que todos esperam. Agradeço aos meus corners pela parceria, meu adversário pelas palavras de apoio e ao @ufc pelo cuidado. Obrigado a todos pelo carinho e pelas mensagens que tenho recebido nos últimos dias. Nas próximas semanas estarei recluso com minha família e treinadores e focado em nossa saúde para logo poder estar de volta. Muito obrigado! I was very sad to not be able to fight at UFC 249, but I want you to know that, as soon as I'm medically cleared, I hope to reschedule my fight with Uriah Hall so that I can put on the show that everyone expects. I thank my corners for the partnership, my opponent for the words of support and the UFC for all the care. Thank you all for the kind messages I have received in the last few days. The upcoming weeks I will be secluded with my family and coaches and focused on our health so I can be back soon. Thank you!

A post shared by Ronaldo “Jacaré” 🐊 Souza (@ronaldojacare) on May 13, 2020 at 3:06pm PDT

“I was very sad to not be able to fight at UFC 249, but I want you to know that, as soon as I’m medically cleared, I hope to reschedule my fight with Uriah Hall so that I can put on the show that everyone expects. I thank my corners for the partnership, my opponent for the words of support and the UFC for all the care.
Thank you all for the kind messages I have received in the last few days. The upcoming weeks I will be secluded with my family and coaches and focused on our health so I can be back soon.
Thank you!“