Rener Gracie Tests Positive For COVID-19, Will Not Corner Brian Ortega
Brian Ortega is going to be battling Chan Sung Jung this weekend in the main event of UFC Fight Island 5, but the fighter will be doing so without Rener Gracie in his corner.
Gracie, who had previously tested positive for COVID-19, has tested positive for the virus again and has been told he cannot be on Fight island for UFC Fight Island 6. The cornerman revealed the news during a video on Instagram:
Marc Raimondi of ESPN provided the following transcript of what Gracie said in the video:
“I was so bummed,” Gracie said.
“At first, Brian thought I was joking, because I tested negative already twice in the last two weeks,” Gracie said. “And I wasn’t. Of course, he’s super bummed. But I assured him, I said ‘Brian, luckily this skill set that I bring to the table that I coached you for over 15 years in is the most ingrained in you of all your skill sets in fighting. It’s the one that you least need coaching on.’ So, if anyone has to stay behind, it should be me.”
“I’ll be watching like the rest of the world,” Gracie said. “We’ll be there with you, brother — until the end.”
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