Ovince Saint Preux vs. Alonzo Menifield scratched from UFC on ESPN 15 after OSP’s positive COVID test

Ovince Saint Preux vs. Alonzo Menifield has been removed from the UFC on ESPN 15 card after Saint Preux tested positive for COVID-19, his manager confirmed just hours before the card on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Saint Preux tested positive and negative for the virus on fight week, wrote Oren Hodak of KOReps, before a positive test on fight day ruled out his participation. The UFC confirmed the fight was scrapped in a message sent to MMA Fighting on Saturday while adding that the fight between Saint Preux and Menifield will be rescheduled at a later date.

“Due to a positive COVID-19 test, Ovince Saint Preux’s light heavyweight bout against Alonzo Menifield has been removed from tonight’s card and will be rescheduled at a later date,” UFC officials said in the statement.

Hodak told MMAFighting Saint Preux is feeling “100 percent.” He added his team offered to pay out of pocket for another rapid COVID test to prove he could compete, but the UFC decided to postpone the bout.

The co-main event scratch leaves nine bouts remaining on the fight card, which takes place at UFC APEX and streams live on ESPN+.

Saint Preux was most recently seen in the octagon at UFC Jacksonville, where he lost a split decision to Ben Rothwell in a one-off at heavyweight. He is 2-4 in his past six UFC outings.

Menifield most recently lost a decision to Devin Clark at UFC 250, making his first setback as a professional after nine straight wins.

The 9-fight UFC on ESPN 15 card will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the main card on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8:30 p.m. ET.