Paddy Pimblett’s opponent Davide Martinez forced from Cage Warriors 113 due to Italy’s coronavirus quarantine

Italy is currently in lockdown in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus and the stringent safety measures have forced Davide Martinez—who stepped in as replacement for Donovan Desmae in his bout with promotional frontrunner Paddy Pimblett—from the promotion’s highly anticipated London card, Cage Warriors 113, next weekend, MMA Fighting has learned.

Under the current coronavirus quarantine, all non-essential travel to, from and within Italy is banned until April 3. Cage Warriors 113 was due to take place at London’s Indigo the day before UFC London, on March 20.

The promotion announced that Pimblett has been re-booked to face heavy-handed Irishman, Decky Dalton (first reported by the42.ie.)

Cage Warriors announced that the three Italian fighters would not be able to compete at the event via its website Wednesday, as confirmed by promotional president Graham Boylan. However, UFC veteran Danilo Belluardo and his countryman Davide Baneschi have been forced from the card due to injury rather than the national safety measures that currently grip Italy.

Belluardo was due to face Welsh uber prospect Mason Jones, who has also been matched with a new opponent.

The promotion are still in the process of finding Cory Tait a replacement opponent following the withdrawal of Baneschi. Jones’ new opponents will be officially announced soon.

Responding to queries about the sold out event, Boylan released the following statement: “It’s business as usual for Cage Warriors, until we are advised otherwise by the venue. As of today, the show goes ahead without any restrictions.”

Petesy Carroll and Niall McGrath discussed the potential impact of coronavirus on big European events on this week’s episode of Eurobash.