Report: Joanne Calderwood Replaces Viviane Araujo On August 1 UFC Card After Positive Covid-19 Test
Next month’s UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Aldana card has undergone a big change as Viviane Araujo has reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus and has been pulled from a bout against Jennifer Maia.
Raphael Marinho of Combate first reported the news, while also revealing that Joanne Calderwood will step in on short notice to fight Maia.
Araujo, in a statement to MMA Junkie, says she doesn’t know how she contracted the coronavirus.
“Unfortunately this week I tested positive for COVID-19. I don’t know how I caught it,” Araujo said. “I was taking all precautions and training with only two fighters. They tested negative. Only I tested positive. That’s it. I was very sad that the fight was canceled and also worried for my health. Here in Brazil, the contamination rate is very high. Despite all precautions, I caught it. I am feeling mostly OK with only mild cold symptoms. My doctors are keeping an eye on me. The goal is to recover so I can book my next fight.”
Maia (17-6-1) has won two of four under the UFC banner, with those victories coming over the duo of Alexis Davis and Roxanne Modafferi. Maia has seen her last eight professional MMA bouts go the distance and it has been over four years since the fighter got a finish. Maia is a former Invicta FC Flyweight Champion, defeating Vanessa Porto at Invicta FC 16 to claim the gold.
Calderwood (14-4-0) was set to challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Title at UFC 251, but the bout was canned due to a Shevchenko injury. Calderwood has won three of her last four in the UFC, with those wins coming over Kalindra Faria, Ariane Lipski and Andrea Lee. Calderood has suffered four losses as a professional MMA fighter and all of them came during her time in the UFC.
UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Aldana takes place on Saturday, August 1 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada with Holly Holm and Irene Aldana headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which streams live on ESPN+.
