Ian Heinisch withdraws from UFC 250 after cornerman tests positive for coronavirus.. but it turns out to be false

IAN HEINISCH is now set to compete at tonight’s UFC 250 despite one of his cornermen originally testing positive for Covid-19. The 31-year-old is scheduled to face Gerald Meerschaert in a middleweight bout in the prelims of the Las Vegas extravaganza. However, that was thrown into jeopardy when a member of the American’s team tested […]

IAN HEINISCH is now set to compete at tonight’s UFC 250 despite one of his cornermen originally testing positive for Covid-19.

The 31-year-old is scheduled to face Gerald Meerschaert in a middleweight bout in the prelims of the Las Vegas extravaganza.

Getty Images

Getty Images

However, that was thrown into jeopardy when a member of the American’s team tested positive for coronavirus.

But now a second test has come back negative, giving the fighter a second chance and enabling to take on his 32-year-old foe.

And Dana White has kept him on the roster, meaning UFC fans should still be able to see the two clash this evening.

Heinisch was pulled out for precautionary reasons, with the news first breaking on Thursday.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission is overseeing Saturday’s event with new Covid-19 safety protocols in place.

And because the person affiliated with Heinisch had tested positive in the closed setting, he needed to be withdrawn to prevent a possible spread of the coronavirus to others involved in the closed event.

But a second test was ordered to determine whether the initial one had produced a false result.

It was the first known positive UFC test since Ronaldo Souza was pulled the day before UFC 249 last month after his results came up positive.

Newcomer Anthony Ivy was drafted in as Heinisch’s potential replacement.

But now it appears Heinisch will be brought back to fight in the preliminary bout and the UFC Apex in Vegas.