Positive COVID-19 Test Bumps ‘Boom’ From Fight Island
Brian Kelleher will have to wait even longer to get his hands on bantamweight contender Ricky Simon as “Boom” has been forced out of UFC Fight Island 7 due to a positive COVID-19 test, per a recent report by MMA Fighting.
This matchup was originally booked for UFC Vegas 9 back in September but Simon’s cornerman ended up testing positive for coronavirus and the fight was re-booked for UFC Fight Island 7 on Jan. 16. It remains to be seen if the bantamweight affair will be rescheduled once more or if UFC will bring in a replacement to fight Simon in two weeks time.
Kelleher has taken to social media since late Friday night to discuss the positive test and assure his fans he’s trying to re-book the Simon fight for next month.
Put a lot of work in to peak at a certain time. That’s the hard part. Gotta reset and keep on keeping on. Hoping to get a negative test soon and rebook this fight for early feb. my girlfriend and training partners are negative and I feel no symptoms so Hopefully false positive
— Baldy Ed (@brianboom135) January 2, 2021
“Put a lot of work in to peak at a certain time. That’s the hard part. Gotta reset and keep on keeping on. Hoping to get a negative test soon and rebook this fight for early feb. my girlfriend and training partners are negative and I feel no symptoms so Hopefully false positive”
I think it’s a false positive to be honest.Will find out soon. I’ll be back shortly. Thanks for those who showed concern. All the people I’ve been close proximity with have tested negative. Hope to get this fight rebooked early February. I know you wanna see this fight
— Baldy Ed (@brianboom135) January 2, 2021
“I think it’s a false positive to be honest.Will find out soon. I’ll be back shortly. Thanks for those who showed concern. All the people I’ve been close proximity with have tested negative. Hope to get this fight rebooked early February. I know you wanna see this fight.”
Kelleher, 34, is coming off an impressive 39-second submission finish over Ray Rodriguez back at UFC Vegas 9 (see it HERE). “Boom” ended up turning in a 3-1 record in 2020 and became a true staple for the promotion during a year riddled with fight cancelations and last-second changes. Kelleher also managed to capture two Performance of the Night bonuses and one Fight of the Night award over the past 12 months.
UFC Fight Island 7 is scheduled to take place on Jan. 16 live on ABC and ESPN+ from inside Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. The main card is expected to be headlined by a featherweight bout featuring former UFC champion Max Holloway and rising contender Calvin Kattar.
For complete UFC Fight Island 7 fight card news click here.
https://www.mmamania.com/2021/1/2/22210043/brian-kelleher-removed-from-ufc-fight-island-7-due-to-positive-covid-19-test-simon-espn-holloway
