UFC Vegas 17: Thompson vs. Neal goes down this weekend at the promotion’s APEX facility in Las Vegas. The event, which is currently scheduled to feature Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal in the headliner, has faced a number of fight cancellations including it’s original main event, Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev.
And today it has been revealed that another bout has been pulled from the card. A welterweight battle between Belal Muhammad and Dhiego Lima has been removed after Muhammad tested positive for COVID-19.
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
Other bouts removed from this card include Misha Cirkunov vs. Ryan Spann, Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell and Alexandre Pantoja vs, Manel Kape. The event has also seen Antônio Braga Neto and Sean Brady removed. Braga Neto was replaced Antonio Arroyo in his match-up with Deron Winn and Brady was Muhammad’s original opponent.
MMA Fighting reports that Muhammad vs. Lima will be moved to a January card set to take place on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Muhammad is currently riding a three-fight winning streak. At UFC Vegas 3 in June he defeated Lyman Good by unanimous decision. Prior to that he beat Takashi Sato and Curtis Millender. His last loss was to Saturday’s headliner Geoff Neal, at last year’s UFC on ESPN+ 1: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw.
Lima was heading into his bout with Muhammad on a three fight winning streak, too. His streak includes wins over Luke Jumeau, Court McGee and Chad Laprise.
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