Jorge Masvidal’s head coach tests positive for COVID-19, out of UFC 251
As UFC Fight Island approaches, fighters, coaches, and cornermen make their journey to Fight Island. The last to arrive was Jorge Masvidal and his team. The Masvidal camp has taken a major hit as Masvidal’s head coach did not fly to Abu Dhabi after testing positive for COVID-19.
It has been a crazy few days for Jorge Masvidal. He took the fight on six days’ notice, traveled across the globe, and now has no head coach for the biggest fight of his life.
Tuesday night, news broke reporting Masvidal’s head coach, Mike Brown, tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be in his corner for the fight.
Mike Brown is a former WEC champion who now coaches at American Top Team. He has coached Jorge Masvidal for a long time and is no doubt an asset in Jorge’s corner.
Mike Brown spoke to ESPN expressing his heartbreak regarding the whole situation.
“Just heartbroken I’m not going to see Jorge win the world championship in person,” Brown said. “Nobody deserves it more than this guy. Nobody has paid more dues. Jorge is also one of the most thoughtful athletes I’ve ever met. He makes everyone feel they are with him and a huge part of this journey.
“The truth is this guy has been honing his skills for more than 20 years and developed one of the highest fight IQs the sport has ever seen. As far as being COVID positive, I feel good. The only pain I feel is in my heart.”
Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Losing Mike Brown is a huge loss for Masvidal. Jorge gave his thoughts during an interview with ESPN.
“It sucked emotionally just because I want him there when I get that belt,” Masvidal told ESPN when asked about Brown’s absence from his corner. “I needed this individual to be there because he’s a huge part of my career. He’s been there for such a long time. We’ve been friends for such a long time as well. It took the air from all of us.
“Every single one of me and my cornermen was devastated by it. Thank god, Mike doesn’t have any symptoms, nothing, any cold symptoms or sore throat or nothing. So he’s great right now.”
Masvidal is definitely hurt by the news but he is mostly upset that he won’t be able to share the experience with Mike. With or without Brown, Masvidal promises the result will be the same no matter who is coaching him.
“I’m going to baptize his ass,” Masvidal said. “That’s for a fact. That’s what you can bet on. That’s the secret sauce right there. I’m going to baptize him.
“I’m going to do it in violent fashion and I’m going to separate myself from the pack even more than I have in the past.”
