Good news for fully vaccinated UFC fighters and their corners! The new regulation will not require them to undergo COVID-19 testing and quarantine ahead of UFC 270 this weekend. UFC previously attempted to have the fighters pay cost of testing – and subsequently relented and opted to reimburse the fighters.
As reported by MMA journalist Nolan King, there will be a change of COVID-19 protocols for fully vaccinated fighters and their corners.
On Twitter he wrote “Sources: The ever-evolving UFC COVID-19 protocols have changed again. Fully-vaccinated athletes and corners will not require testing or quarantining during #UFC270 fight week outside of a pre-departure test.”.
For the unvaccinated fighters and corners there won’t be many changes to the regulations except for the testing schedules.
“For unvaccinated individuals, the protocols largely remain the same. The only change is that the second [and final] onsite test, will take place Thursday, instead of Friday [weigh-in day].” he added on another tweet.
Previously, all individuals needed to test and quarantine regardless of vaccination status.
But despite the loosened regulations, masks will still be required for all individuals regardless of the vaccination status.
UFC’s Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell confirmed the changes. He later added that the protocols are laid out by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) .
UFC 270 takes place this Saturday at Honda Center, Anaheim, California. The main event will be the heavyweight unification title fight between champion Francis Ngannou and interim champion Ciryl Gane, and the flyweight title fight between champion Brandon Moreno and former champion Deiveson Figueiredo on the co-main event.