Ketlen Vieira faces Sijara Eubanks this weekend at UFC 253 and she will be doing so without coach Andre Pederneiras at her side.
That’s because Pederneiras has tested positive for COVID-19, which Vieira revealed during the UFC 253 virtual media day (via Guilherme Cruz & Jose Youngs of MMA Fighting), and despite already being on Fight Island, Pederneiras will have to quarantine and miss UFC 253. Vieira did not have any contact with her coach while traveling to Fight Island, so she’ll still be allowed to fight Eubanks at UFC 253.
Pederneiras is feeling a little weak and has a fever, but is believed to be okay. The coach was the first person to test positive for COVID-19 on Fight Island, which could be due to the fact that the UFC changed the testing protocol for the second trip to Fight Island. As Sao Paulo, which was a hub city during the first run on Fight Island, is no longer a hub city and fighters from Brazil had to fly to London before getting a plan to Abu Dhabi, which is where Fight Island is located.
Former Bellator bantamweight champion Marcos Galvao will serve as Vieira’s lone corner for UFC 253.
UFC 253 takes place on Saturday, September 26 from Fight Island in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi with Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which streams live on ESPN+.
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