Video! Jacare Breaks Social Distancing Rules Prior To UFC 249 Removal

It looks like Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza wasn’t practicing social distancing the entire time while preparing for UFC 249 later tonight (Sat., May 9, 2020) live on ESPN+ from inside VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

While UFC is confident that its COVID-19 safety procedures worked for Souza video footage has surfaced that leads fans to believe that wasn’t the case. Prior to getting his positive test result back on Friday, Souza can be seen chumming it up with fellow UFC 249 participants from inside the Jacksonville hotel. “Jacare” wasn’t quite practicing safe social distancing despite wearing a face mask and gloves, all while knowing he could potentially have coronavirus.

The video, which was first seen on UFC heavyweight Fabricio Werdum’s Instagram story before being deleted, can be seen below:

What do you think, Maniacs? Too close for comfort?

UFC officials released a statement Friday night about Souza’s positive test and claimed that “the response to this development is indicative of the effectiveness of the health and safety measures UFC has put in place for this event.” UFC president Dana White also stated that “the system works” because they successfully tested “Jacare” and quickly isolated him.

While UFC is likely doing everything in its power to assure the safety of fighters and staff this weekend at UFC 249, the above video footage is not a good look. Souza was supposed to be isolating himself and practicing social distancing at all times. That clearly wasn’t the case and it now leaves this entire incident open to a different, and vastly more critical, interpretation.

All of that said, UFC 249 is still going down later tonight live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV). The main event of the evening will feature an interim lightweight title fight between top contender Tony Ferguson and short-notice filler Justin Gaethje. The co-headliner will feature UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo defending his title for the first time against all-time great Dominick Cruz.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 249 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN+/Fight Pass “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN+/ESPN at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 249: “Ferguson vs. Gaethje” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.