UFC informs fighters they will be tested for COVID-19 before UFC 249
An email obtained by MMA Junkie specifies that a UFC administered "COVID-19 test" will be completed before fights take place.
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The UFC has provided some of its athletes with additional details about the new pandemic safety protocol.
On Monday, MMA Junkie obtained a copy of a letter emailed by the UFC Performance Institute to fighters competing at UFC 249. In the email, the UFC PI informs May 9 fighters that they will be tested for COVID-19 by the UFC medical team.
“Upon completion of the UFC Medical Team administered COVID-19 test,” it reads, “the UFCPI Performance Dietitian will conduct a fight week screen that includes but isn’t limited to: weight, nutritional status, food allergies or intolerances and weight cut tactics.”
The email does not state how many times an athlete will be tested for COVID-19, how long it will take for results to be received, or what specific kind of testing will be conducted. ESPN, citing sources, reports that fighters will receive “both a diagnostic swab coronavirus test, as well as the antibody test.”
The email also contains a number of additional details about fight week logistics, which are summarized below:
Fight week meals and rehydration
Fight week meals are available, provided by the Trifecta Culinary Nutrition Department. Meals, snacks, and third-party supplements will be provided upon request. Each fighter has been assigned a specific staff member to handle his/her needs.
After weigh-ins, fighters will be provided with more than six hours’ worth of hydration and nourishment.
Social distancing
To limit direct contact, fighters and meal staff will designate a time for meal drop-off. Every morning, staff will leave for drop-off and exchange weight-tracking data with fighters and their teams.
Medical treatment safety and precautions
- Athletes who request medical treatment will only be able to do so for injury and illness related matters, as previously reported. Each fighter will have a PI medical staff member assigned to them.
- Fighters will be treated in a “dedicated hotel room.” The only people allowed in the room are the fighter and the doctor – no coaches, teammates, etc.
- Fighters will have a maximum of 40 minutes in the room. After the appointment, 20 minutes of disinfecting will take place.
- Athletes will be required to wear protective masks during treatment. Staff will be required to wear masks and gloves.
- If a translator is required to deal with medical issues, a translator can call in via FaceTime to translate.
- Before an appointment, an athlete will be required to shower and sanitize his/her hands.
- Before entering a hotel room, an athlete’s temperature will be taken.