Jake Matthews vs. Jeremiah Wells off UFC on ESPN 31 after cornerman positive for COVID-19
UFC on ESPN 31 has lost a fight at the last minute because of COVID-19.
On Saturday afternoon, Jeremiah Wells announced that he was forced to withdraw from his fight with Jake Matthews after being exposed to COVID-19. Wells said he was negative, but one of his cornermen tested positive.
“Sorry everyone, I just found out that my fight is canceled due to exposure of Covid,” Wells wrote on Instagram. “My test result came back negative, but one of my corner men had a result of positive. Thank you to everyone who supported me, helped me with this fight camp and cheer me on.”
Wells (9-2-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), 35, was looking for his fourth consecutive overall victory in his second UFC appearance. He won his promotional debut this past June when he knocked out Warlley Alves 30 seconds into the second round.
Matthews (17-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC), 27, was looking to rebound after a submission loss to Sean Brady this past March snapped a three-fight winning streak.
UFC on ESPN 31 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN+.
With the cancellation, the UFC on ESPN 31 lineup includes:
MAIN CARD (10 p.m. ET, ESPN and ESPN+)
- Rob Font vs. Jose Aldo
- Rafael Fiziev vs. Brad Riddell
- Jimmy Crute vs. Jamahal Hill
- Clay Guida vs. Leonardo Santos
- Brendan Allen vs. Chris Curtis
- Mickey Gall vs. Alex Morono
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Maki Pitolo vs. Dusko Todorovic
- Manel Kape vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov
- Bryan Barberena vs. Darian Weeks
- Mallory Martin vs. Cheyanne Vlismas
- William Knight vs. Alonzo Menifield
- Chris Gruetzemacher vs. Claudio Puelles
- Vince Morales vs. Louis Smolka
