Matt Frevola out of UFC on ESPN 11 after teammate Billy Quarantillo tests positive for COVID-19

Matt Frevola is out of his fight against Frank Camacho at UFC on ESPN 11 after his teammate, and fellow UFC fighter Billy Quarantillo, tested positive for COVID-19.

Frevola and Quarantillo both confirmed the news in separate posts made on Instagram.

“The UFC has pulled me from my fight due to one of my cornerman testing positive for COVID-19,” Frevola wrote on Instagram. “We did everything possible to make this fight happen. They tested me twice and both results came back negative. I also provided proof of my positive antibodies test from April 30th but the UFC did not want any liability or to risk it. Being that there is a lack of knowledge on the incubation period and still so many unknowns regarding COVID-19, they decided to pull me because of the positive test result from my teammate and brother, Billy Q.

“He’s been a huge help and source of support throughout camp and I have no hard feelings. He is 100 percent healthy at the moment and feels fine, so he must be asymptomatic. This is a crazy situation and everything happens for a reason. I am on weight and prepared to the fullest. I was really excited for this fight with Frank and told him if they find him a new opponent for Saturday I will be rooting for him. If not, I’m willing to rebook this fight ASAP or whenever he wants. I’m sorry to everyone who was excited to watch me fight and supports me along this journey, I really felt the love.”

Frevola was originally supposed to face Roosevelt Roberts back in April but that entire fight card was eventually scrapped due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Ironically, Roberts moved onto win a fight against Brok Weaver at UFC on ESPN 9 and now he’s also scheduled to compete on Saturday night at UFC on ESPN 11 as well.

As for Quarantillo, he fought on that same UFC on ESPN 9 fight card where he picked up an impressive win over Spike Carlyle in a back-and-forth battle on the main card.

According to Quarantillo, he tested negative throughout fight week when he competed in Las Vegas for his own bout but now his latest COVID-19 test returned positive.

“Heartbroken for my guy Matt Frevola who worked so hard for this fight and now has had two fights cancelled because of [COVID-19],” Quarantillo wrote on Instagram. “Two weeks ago when I fought in Vegas, I was negative for both tests.

“Since then I’ve had no symptoms, and if I did I never would have gotten on the flight to corner Matt. Still without symptoms, I will stay safe and stay away from everyone until I’m negative and the isolation time is over. Hopefully Matt gets taken care of and gets another fight ASAP.”

A similar situation almost happened at UFC on ESPN 10 when Ian Heinisch was initially pulled from the card when one of his coaches also tested positive for COVID-19. Another test was eventually taken and it turned out to be a false-positive so Heinisch was allowed to return and compete.

It appears that won’t be the case for Frevola, however, as he will now have to await for a later date to make his return to action.

As of now, the UFC continues the search for a replacement to face Camacho on short notice with the card taking place Saturday night.