Jacare Souza issues first statement after COVID-19 diagnosis, UFC 249 withdrawal

UFC middleweight contender Jacare Souza has issued a statement after he was pulled from a UFC 249 fight with Uriah Hall due to testing positive for COVID-19.

Jacare made his statement—his first since the fight fell through—on Instagram.

Jacare shared his disappointment with the way things unfolded, and added that he hopes his fight with Hall will be rebooked when he’s healthy.

 

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Fiquei muito triste por não poder lutar no UFC 249, mas quero que saibam que, assim que estiver liberado, espero remarcar minha luta com o Uriah Hall para que eu possa dar o show que todos esperam. Agradeço aos meus corners pela parceria, meu adversário pelas palavras de apoio e ao @ufc pelo cuidado. Obrigado a todos pelo carinho e pelas mensagens que tenho recebido nos últimos dias. Nas próximas semanas estarei recluso com minha família e treinadores e focado em nossa saúde para logo poder estar de volta. Muito obrigado! I was very sad to not be able to fight at UFC 249, but I want you to know that, as soon as I’m medically cleared, I hope to reschedule my fight with Uriah Hall so that I can put on the show that everyone expects. I thank my corners for the partnership, my opponent for the words of support and the UFC for all the care. Thank you all for the kind messages I have received in the last few days. The upcoming weeks I will be secluded with my family and coaches and focused on our health so I can be back soon. Thank you!

A post shared by Ronaldo “Jacaré” 🐊 Souza (@ronaldojacare) on May 13, 2020 at 3:06pm PDT

“I was very sad to not be able to fight at UFC 249, but I want you to know that, as soon as I’m medically cleared, I hope to reschedule my fight with Uriah Hall so that I can put on the show that everyone expects,” Jacare wrote. “I thank my corners for the partnership, my opponent for the words of support and the UFC for all the care.

“Thank you all for the kind messages I have received in the last few days,” Jacare added. “The upcoming weeks I will be secluded with my family and coaches and focused on our health so I can be back soon. Thank you!”

Do you want the scrapped Jacare Souza vs. Uriah Hall fight to be rebooked?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.com on 5/14/2020.