American Top Team’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Marcos ‘Parrumpinha’ DaMatta has revealed that he tested positive for Covid-19 just days before he was supposed to help corner Luis Pena against Khama Worthy.
However, since he hadn’t had contact with Pena at the time, the fighter was allowed to continue, while DaMatta has to stay quarantined in a Las Vegas hotel for 15 days.
DaMatta was also expected to be in attendance at Fight Island in Abu Dhabi this month as he was scheduled to corner Amanda Ribas, Alexandre Pantoja and Arman Tsarukyan.
However, DaMatta admits that he’s not sure whether he’ll be able to attend now, as it hinges on whether he can fully serve his quarantine period and then test negative for the virus in time to get on the plane to Yas Island.
“As soon as the quarantine is over, I’ll do the test,” DaMatta told Combate. “If it comes back negative, and I’m authorized by the UFC doctor, I’m going to Abu Dhabi for Amanda Ribas’ and Pantoja’s fight.”
Another cornerman tested positive for coronavirus prior to UFC On ESPN 12, which resulted in welterweight Ramiz Brahimaj being removed from his prelim fight on the card.
That came after Matt Frevola was taken off the UFC On ESPN 11 event a week earlier after his cornerman, fellow UFC fighter Billy Quarantillo tested positive for the virus.
