Andre Ewell is out of his upcoming fight with Cody Stamann at UFC Vegas 18.
On Monday, Cageside Press confirmed an initial report by MMA DNA regarding Ewell’s exit from the event this coming weekend. Per Ewell’s management firm, Dodge Sports, the culprit was a positive COVID-19 test.
In a statement, Dodge Sports noted that “Following a positive result from a COVID-19 test, Andre Ewell subsequently tested negative on back-to-back tests. However, per the UFC health and safety protocols implemented due to the ongoing pandemic, a fighter who returns a positive test must remain sidelined for ten days regardless of additional test results.”
The statement went on to note that the ten-day quarantine would preclude Ewell from taking part in the bout with Stamann, which was scheduled for February 6. Stamann, meanwhile, intends to remain on the card, with the UFC searching for a new opponent for the bantamweight.
“Andre is healthy and has not shown any symptoms at all,” said Matt Dodge, CEO of Dodge Sports and Andre’s manager. “He plans to compete as soon as possible following this unfortunate situation.”
UFC Vegas 18 (UFC Fight Night 184) currently boasts the following fight:
Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov
Cory Sandhagen vs. Frankie Edgar
Marion Reneau vs. Macy Chiasson
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Manel Kape
Cody Stamann vs. TBA
Carlos Diego Ferreira vs. Beneil Dariush
Michael Johnson vs. Clay Guida
Mike Rodríguez vs. Danilo Marques
Molly McCann vs. Lara Procópio
Seung Woo Choi vs. Youssef Zalal
Karol Rosa vs. Joselyne Edwards
Devonte Smith vs. Justin Jaynes
Denys Bondar vs. Ode Osbourne
Martin Day vs. Timur Valiev
Update, 10:15PM: Per a report by Bloody Canvas, Stamann will now face Askar Askar at the event this weekend.
