UFC Vegas 43 Loses Fares Ziam vs. Terrance McKinney Due to COVID-19 Protocols

Terrance McKinney and Fares Ziam, UFC Vegas 43
Fares Ziam and Terrance McKinney, UFC Vegas 43 Face-Off Credit: Alex Behunin/Cageside Press

The Lightweight scrap between France’s “Smile Killer” Fares Ziam and Terrance McKinney is off UFC Vegas 43.

McKinney (11-3) announced Saturday afternoon that someone in his camp had tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in the bout being scrapped at the last minute.

“Someone in my corner got Covid and they were forced to cancel my fight. I don’t have Covid, but they say due to risk [of] exposure I can’t fight,” McKinney wrote on social media. “Sorry y’all, I appreciate all the support and love. We’re working hard to get the fight rescheduled ASAP.”

McKinney, who made a strong statement in his promotional debut earlier this year with a KO of Matt Frevola, was looking to prove lightning could strike twice. “T.Wrecks” also came with a heck of a back story, having come close to death in 2015 when drug use led to his heart stopping.

Ziam (12-3) had been looking to make it three wins in a row on Saturday. After dropping his debut to Don Madge, he’s picked up wins over Jamie Mullarkey and Luigi Vendramini.

UFC Vegas 43 will now move forward with 11 fights at the UFC Apex, kicking off later this afternoon. The following fights are expected for the event:

Ketlen Vieira vs. Miesha Tate
Michael Chiesa vs. Sean Brady
Joanne Calderwood vs. Taila Santos
Rani Yahya vs. Kyung Ho Kang
Davey Grant vs. Adrian Yanez
Tucker Lutz vs. Pat Sabatini
Rafa García vs. Natan Levy
Loma Lookboonmee vs. Lupita Godinez
Cody Durden vs. Qileng Aori
Sean Soriano vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke
Luana Pinheiro vs. Sam Hughes