Ian Heinisch Out of UFC 250 Fight With Gerald Meerschaert After Corner Man Tests Positive for COVID-19
By Jerry Trotta
Thanks to the unwavering support of president Dana White, the UFC has continued hosting events amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, with UFC 250 fast approaching on Saturday night, the sport has unfortunately encountered an obstacle pertaining to COVID-19.
Per reports, middleweight fighter Ian Heinisch has been removed from the card for precautionary reasons after a member of his corner tested positive for the disease.
Ian Heinisch is out of his UFC 250 fight against Gerald Meerschaert, sources confirm. Anthony Ivy replaces him. First reported by @DamonMartin.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 4, 2020
Unclear at this moment why Heinisch withdrew two days before the event.
Heinisch had been scheduled to square up in middleweight action against Gerald Meerschaert at the event, which will be headlined by Amanda Nunes defending her women's featherweight title against Felicia Spencer. The UFC is reportedly hopeful that it can find a replacement opponent for Meerschaert in time for Saturday night's showcase, with Anthony Ivy reported to be the pick.
This marks the second pay-per-view event in a row in which the UFC will have to overcome a positive coronavirus test. Ahead of UFC 249, veteran fighter Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza was removed from the card after testing positive himself.
At the very leat, White and Co. will be relieved to know that Heinisch, unlike Souza, wasn't frolicking around with other competitors before being diagnosed.
Per multiple sources, Ian Heinisch was forced to withdraw from UFC 250 for precautionary reasons because one of his corners tested positive for COVID-19.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 4, 2020
This news will be a bitter pill to swallow for Heinisch, as he will have to wait a bit longer to avenge his convincing loss his last time out against Omari Akhmedov at UFC 245 back in December.