Saturday night’s UFC Vegas 17 is down to 14 fights after the cancellation of a welterweight showdown between Dhiego Lima and Belal Muhammad due to Muhammad testing positive for COVID-19, MMA Fighting has learned.
The match is expected to be re-booked for one of the January cards in Abu Dhabi, per sources with knowledge of the change.
Muhammad issued a statement on Twitter regarding the news.
Woke up yesterday feeling like crap got tested and i was positive for covid sucks but I’ll be back
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 15, 2020
Lima (15-7) won his last three in the UFC, knocking out Chad Laprise before a pair of decisions over Court McGee and Luke Jumeau, but hasn’t competed since a neck injury forced the two-time Ultimate Fighter finalist to undergo surgery in February.
Muhammad (17-3) was also looking to score his fourth straight victory after a pair of decisions against Lyman Good and Curtis Millender and a third-round finish over Takashi Sato.
UFC Vegas 17 takes place Dec. 19 at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas and features Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal in the main event. The card also includes former UFC champions Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis.
Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal
Jose Aldo vs. Marlon Vera
Michel Pereira vs. Khaos Williams
Marlon Moraes vs. Rob Font
Marcin Tybura vs. Greg Hardy
Gillian Robertson vs. Taila Santos
Anthony Pettis vs. Alex Morono
Sijara Eubanks vs. Pannie Kianzad
Karl Roberson vs. Dalcha Lungiambula
Deron Winn vs. Antonio Arroyo
Aiemann Zahabi vs. Drako Rodriguez
Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jamie Pickett
Jimmy Flick vs. Cody Durden
Rick Glenn vs. Carlton Minus