Oliveira Without Head Coach Thanks To COVID

MMA News

Oliveira Without Head Coach Thanks To COVID

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira just took a major hit with only a couple of days to go before this weekend’s Tony Ferguson fight. Head coach Diego Lima tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be able to able to leave Sao Paulo.

“Do Bronx” will now be cornered by Jorge Patino and Gia Santos.

“Since I had no symptoms, and at the same time we’re all excited for a fight we asked so much for, we can’t even believe when something like this happens,” Lima told UFC.com (via MMA Fighting). “I did other tests, but they came back positive too, so there was no other way out.”

Welcome to the party.

Oliveira (29-8, 1 NC) is currently ranked No. 7 at 155 pounds and could very well put himself atop a very short list of title contenders with a victory over “El Cucuy” at UFC 256. “Do Bronx” has already won seven in a row, all finishes, and is still just 31 years old.

To see the rest of the UFC 256 fight card and lineup click here.

https://www.mmamania.com/2020/12/10/22167596/ufc-256-charles-oliveira-loses-head-coach-covid-tony-ferguson-fight-mma