Ovince Saint Preux tests positive for COVID-19, Alonzo Menifield fight removed from UFC on ESPN 15

The UFC on ESPN 15 co-main event is off.

Following a positive COVID-19 test, Ovince Saint Preux has been removed from his UFC on ESPN 15 co-main event fight against Alonzo Menifield, MMA Junkie confirmed with a person familiar with the situation.

The light heavyweight fight will shift Sept. 5 and Saturday’s card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas will continue with nine fights.

According to his manager Oren Hodak, Saint Preux (24-14 MMA, 12-9 UFC) had previously tested positive for COVID-19 but had since tested negative. Upon arriving in Las Vegas for UFC on ESPN 15, Saint Preux tested both positive and negative this week. Out of precaution, the promotion has decided to remove his fight against Menifield (9-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) from the event and reschedule it for a later date.

Hodak posted the following statement hours before the UFC on ESPN 15 start time (via Twitter):

With the removal, the current UFC on ESPN 15 lineup includes:

• Pedro Munhoz vs. Frankie Edgar
• Marcin Prachnio vs. Mike Rodriguez
• Mariya Agapova vs. Shana Dobson
• Dwight Grant vs. Daniel Rodriguez
• Mizuki Inoue vs. Amanda Lemos
• Austin Hubbard vs. Joe Solecki
• Ike Villanueva vs. Jordan Wright
• Carlton Minus vs. Matthew Semelsberger
• Trevin Jones vs. Timur Valiev