UFC Fight Island main event gets called off
The UFC main event for Fight Island has been called off. The welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns has been scraped after Gilbert Burns tested positive for COVID-19. The event was scheduled for July 12 next week in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Fighters were scheduled to board the flight to Abu Dhabi this weekend. Gilbert, his brother Herbert Burns, and his wrestling coach did not board the plane. Reports came in confirming that Gilbert Burns had been pulled from the main event fight. MMA Junkie was the first to report the news.
The Brazilian had tested positive in the pre-fight test which tests every fighter, staff, and cornerman before they head to Yas Island.
Gilbert is not the only UFC fighter to have tested for COVID-19. Anderson dos Santos and Lyman Good were fighters who have tested positive. Burns becomes the second fighter to get pulled Fight Island.
Burns posted a message on social media following the announcement.
“devastating news, not feeling well but I’m going to win this battle! Stay safe out there! Much love.” 
Image via @GilbertDurinho on Twitter
As fighters prepare to make the journey to Abu Dhabi, they are all designated a location to travel to for testing before traveling to Yas Island. Gilbert was expected to travel from Florida to Las Vegas before taking a charter flight to Abu Dhabi but with the test results coming back positive he could not board.
This leaves the UFC in a unique situation. They now need a new main event. The UFC has a few options, they can look for a replacement opponent, scrap the main event, or find a new main event. Many fighters have already stepped up and volunteered to fight on a week’s notice. Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington have both expressed interest in taking the fight.
Colby Covington has been campaigning for a rematch against the champion for a few months now. Colby posted his call-out on Twitter.
“You know who they’re gonna call Marty and it ain’t the Ghostbusters Junior!”
Image via @ColbyCovMMA in Twitter
Jorge Masvidal is also willing to take the fight on short notice against Kamaru Usman. Masvidal’s manager spoke to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani to confirm his fighter’s interest for the fight.
Image via @espnpmma on Twitter
The UFC will most likely bump up the co-main event featherweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway to the main event slot.
Would you want to see Jorge Masvidal or Colby Covington step up to fight?
