UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Juan Archuleta was a COVID denier until he tested positive for the virus.
“I was the type of person that didn’t believe in this,” Archuleta told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “But it’s like, ‘I’m healthy, I’m not going to catch this, this thing is a hoax.’ And then catching it is like, kind of sets you back and I started experiencing the symptoms, and I’m like man, I don’t want my give my kids this.”
Archuleta (24-2 MMA, 6-1 BMMA), who headlines Saturday night’s Bellator 246 at Mohegan Sun Arena in a fight with Patchy Mix for the vacant bantamweight title, was preparing to fight Mix (13-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) during Bellator’s July return when he found out he has tested positive for the virus which has led to the deaths of nearly 200,000 Americans.
“Fourth of July, I was cutting the weight down, I was within striking distance down to 153 pounds, but at the same time, I compromised my immune system and I ended up catching COVID, so that next week there was the testing and stuff like that.”
“I had to reach out to Bellator and let them know, ‘Hey, I caught COVID.’ Even though some of the test results were negative, I got the nose swab and it was positive, and then it was like I gotta let them know right away, and they if they gotta adjust the main event or co-main event, if they gotta pull me, they gotta pull me.’”
Archuleta was not an asymptomatic carrier of the virus. He detailed what he called ‘one of the craziest sickness (es)’ he’s ever experienced.
“No asymptomatic for me,” Archuleta said. “I had all symptoms besides throwing up. Other than that, the chest pressure, the swollen neck, the sore throat, felt like a strep throat, the body chills, body pain, just everything. It was one of the craziest sicknesses that I’ve ever dealt with.”
Fortunately, Archuleta is recovered, and he’s ready for one of the most highly anticipated fights during a big fight weekend. Archuleta’s not going to lie: His first choice of opponent was Sergio Pettis, but Mix is an exciting up-and-comer who has been on a hot streak, and Archuleta is ready for the challenge.
“It was either going to be Sergio or it was going to be Patchy Mix,” Archuleta said. “My request was Sergio, but they said we believe Patchy Mix is a better fit in our organization for the 135 for the contender, and I said let’s do it, whoever has the best momentum, put them in front of me because I’m going to put them away and bring the belt home.”
Bellator 246 takes place Saturday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Paramount and streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Bellator 246’s Juan Archuleta says he was a COVID denier until he got the virus
