UFC 256 has lost two more fights because of coronavirus, but the event also has named a replacement fighter for a third bout that previously had been canceled because of COVID-19.
Dwight Grant (10-3), who was to face middleweight Li Jingliang (17-6) in an early prelim on Saturday’s card in Las Vegas, said Monday on Instagram that the bout has been canceled because he tested positive for COVID-19.
“I gotta give y’all some bad news,” Grant wrote. “I’m not going to be fighting this weekend. My last Covid 19 test came back positive but Luckily the symptoms haven’t been severe.”
Another UFC 256 middleweight bout also is not happening Saturday, but this one was just postponed a week. Both Karl Roberson (9-3) and Dalcha Lungiambula (10-2) wrote on Twitter on Monday that their fight has been moved to Dec. 19.
Lungiambula first announced the postponement, writing that Roberson “was diagnosed with COVID-19.”
To my family, friends, and team champion. Thank you so much for the love and support.
My opponent @karlbabyk has been diagnosed with COVID-19, therefore @UFC has decided to move our fight to the 19th DECEMBER 2020. Wishing @K_babyk_roberson a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/PI7fM3SJAY
— Dalcha Lungiambula (@Dalcha_Champion) December 7, 2020
Roberson later confirmed the news and mentioned the Dec. 19 rebooking, writing, “I am safe, healthy, and good to go!”
Due to covid 19 my fight has been push to the 19th! I am safe, healthy and good to go! https://t.co/5qm0JPKglX
— Karl Roberson (@karlbabyk) December 7, 2020
UFC 256 also lost a strawweight fight between Angela Hill and Tecia Torres after Hill announced on social media that she tested positive for the coronavirus.
But on Tuesday the UFC listed promotional newcomer Sam Hughes as a new opponent for Torres.
The event is headlined by a men’s flyweight championship fight between Deiveson Figueiredo and challenger Brandon Moreno.