Meerschaert Tests Positive For COVID-19, Removed From UFC Vegas 5

Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC

With hours remaining before fight time UFC Vegas 5 has suffered a late cancellation, as veteran Gerald Meerschaert has tested positive for COVID-19 and subsequently removed from his light heavyweight bout against Ed Herman.

While Meerschaert has been tested multiple times this week in accordance with UFC’s COVID-19 protocol, “GM3” received a positive result earlier today stemming from his most recent coronavirus screening. The former middleweight revealed the news via Twitter just moments ago (Combate was first to report the news).

“Tested positive for Covid so fights off. Feel healthy and will do everything I can to keep it that way and keep those around me safe,“ wrote Meerschaert.

Meerschaert, 32, is coming off a TKO loss to middleweight Ian Heinisch back at UFC 250 this past June. “GM3” was hoping to rebound from his first knockout loss since 2017 by moving up in weight and taking out Herman this weekend in Vegas.

Given the timing of the positive test UFC officials were unable to find a replacement fighter for Herman, who will be removed from the event entirely. The late cancellation leaves the ESPN+ card with only nine fights total.

UFC Vegas 5 will go down later tonight (Sat., Aug. 1, 2020) live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, and feature a middleweight main event between undefeated contender Edmen Shahbazyn and knockout specialist Derek Brunson.

For complete UFC Vegas 5 results and coverage click here.