UFC to pay ‘Jacare’ Souza, Uriah Hall despite cancellation
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Middleweight fighters Ronaldo Souza and Uriah Hall will be paid despite not competing at UFC 249.
According to UFC president Dana White, the two fighters will be compensated even though the bout was canceled. Both fighters made weight Friday, but the fight was ultimately scrapped when “Jacare” tested positive for COVID-19.
“Yeah, we’ll get them figured out,” White confirmed at the UFC 249 post-fight press conference, when asked if Souza and Hall would be paid.
Upon his arrival in Jacksonville on Wednesday, Souza, 40, notified UFC testing staff a family member had previously had COVID-19. He was tested for the virus by way of nasal swab shortly thereafter.
Friday, Souza, along with the rest of the UFC 249 lineup, weighed in for Saturday’s fights. Then, they were tested for COVID-19 once again. A couple hours later, the fighters paired off and squared off at the ceremonial weigh-ins. Bookending White, Souza and Hall stayed a noticeable distance apart and both wore personal protective equipment. Souza wore a mask and gloves, while Hall only wore a mask.
Friday night, Souza was notified he tested positive, the bout against Hall was canceled, and he was sent home.
