Gabriel Benitez tests positive for COVID-19, Justin Jaynes bout off UFC on ESPN+ 40

Gabriel Benitez won’t be competing on Nov. 14.

The featherweight fighter was scheduled for next month’s UFC on ESPN+ 40 event at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, but his bout with Justin Jaynes has been scratched from the card after Benitez tested positive for COVID-19.

MMA Junkie verified the news with a person close to the situation following an initial report from Solo MMA.

As of now, the promotion plans on rebooking the matchup for a later date that hasn’t been determined.

Benitez (21-8 MMA, 5-4 UFC) most recently competed in May where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Omar Morales at UFC on ESPN+ 29. The Mexican fighter is on a two fight losing skid and 2-2 in his past four UFC outings.

Meanwhile, Jaynes (16-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) fought in August at UFC on ESPN+ 32, where he lost to Gavin Tucker via submission. Prior to that, Jaynes was on a five-fight wining streak, which included a successful UFC debut against veteran Frank Camacho.