Rafael dos Anjos is the latest UFC fighter to test positive for Covid-19, and as such he’s now been taken off the UFC 254 card on October 24th, where he had been scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev.
RDA revealed the news in a lengthy Instagram post in which he first discussed how he had been reinvigorated after returning to his roots in Brazil recently, but then announced the unfortunate news that during his time there he had contracted the virus.
“Life is like those things that we don’t understand now, but that will be revealed in the future,” Dos Anjos wrote. “I left the comfort zone in the United States to come to Rio de Janeiro and restart my career. The stay was the best possible, feeling the warmth of my wonderful city, breathing the smell that only the ocean here has, and sharing the joy of the priceless smiles of my people even hidden behind the masks. Being able to be taken care of by the health professionals who are the best in the world and who I trust with my eyes closed, experiencing the training with the best coaches and other professionals who struggle every day to achieve their dreams. I came to rescue my dream of becoming a champion again, and that goal was achieved. Sharing my experiences with the Nova Uniao team and learning many details to improve my game and close the gaps in the future, none of this was in vain.
“Unfortunately, I will not be able to compete on the 24th. COVID-19 caught me big time and the doctors cut me out. But soon I will be back victorious inside the Octagon! Nothing can take away the blessing that is upon us. God will provide.”
The 35-year-old former lightweight champion has struggled to find form in the welterweight division of late, having lost four of his last five fights and as such had been set to return to the 155lb division against Makhachev, one of the division’s in-form fighters who is currently on a six-fight winning streak.
It’s not clear at this stage if Makhachev will remain on the card, but UFC 254 proceeds regardless with a blockbuster headliner as current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov takes on Justin Gaethje.
