Bellator’s Austin Vanderford is out of his fight this Saturday due to a positive COVID-19 test. Vanderford will be replaced by Pat Casey for the matchup with Daniel Madrid.
Vanderford confirmed on social media that it was the second positive COVID-19 test. “Unfortunately I won’t be able to compete for @bellatormma next weekend,” the Instagram post read, “I tested positive for COVID (a second time now). To say it’s a bummer is a serious understatement. But I’m going to rest up and recover now.”
The undefeated Vanderford is 3-0 in Bellator and 9-0 overall in his professional career. Casey returns to Bellator making his fourth appearance for the promotion.
Payout Perspective:
This past Saturday’s UFC event was marked by the late removals of three fighters due to COVID-19 positive tests. Vanderford is one of the few Bellator matchups that have been altered due to the testing. Similar to the UFC, Bellator has used a “bubble” to insulate fighters from the potential of contracting the disease from the outside. A requisite of this is testing fighters before they travel to the “FightSphere” at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. Although Vandeford is out, the good news for the promotion is that they have made arrangements for fighters to be ready in the case this were to happen.
Leave a Reply