Italy has been one of the countries that have been hit the hardest by the coronavirus and now one of their professional MMA stars has tested positive for the virus, with that fighter being Cage Warriors veteran Cristian Binda.
Al Zullino of Tapology first broke the news, saying the following on Twitter:
Italian MMA retired fighter Cristian Binda is in intensive care, due to the positivity to COVID-19.
— Al Zullino (@phre) March 21, 2020
Binda, a true veteran of the game (Cage Rage, Cage Warriors, Venator), told his fans that after 9 scary days he's now doing better.
Sending all the best wishes. pic.twitter.com/Ku8BRf9nJH
Binda also posted the following on his private Facebook page (via Sherdog):
“Hi guys, I'd like to reassure everyone a bit since I feel a little better now. To summarize: after [nine] days of high fever and coughing, my breath was running out and I had to go to the hospital. The doctors found multiple foci of pneumonia, and obviously the test is positive for COVID-19. Now I will try to get back on track and come back stronger than before. Two things. There are many who are worried about me and I am grateful to you but avoid writing to me, I find it hard even to answer because I get tired immediately, I will give you news on my socials. But most importantly: IT IS NOT A JOKE! STAY AT HOME! I was in the intensive care in Como all night and it is worse than one of Dante’s circles of hell. The situation was heartbreaking! Stay at home and we'll get out of this.”
The Italian professional MMA fighter hasn’t competed in over three years, with his last bout being a split decision win over Davide Baneschi at Venator FC 3.
