UFC champ Alexander Volkanovski tests positive for COVID-19

Reigning UFC featherweight world champion Alexander Volkanovski has been pulled out of his next fight after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Volkanovski, 32, was scheduled to defend his title for the second time against Brian Ortega at UFC 260 on Saturday, March 26 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, USA.

“So devastated to share that I’ve tested positive for COVID-19 and my fight is off and will be rescheduled. I tested negative leaving Australia, negative before entering the UFC bubble but my latest test was positive,” Volkanovski wrote on his Twitter.

“We have worked so hard getting ready for this fight and I’m absolutely gutted this has happened. We followed every policy and process to remain COVID free but it wasn’t meant to be this time.”

Ortega was equally devastated by the news but expressed his well wishes to Volkanovski as he vowed to stay sharp until the day they meet inside the cage.

“Alex get well soon, we will pray for your health. We got business to handle,” Ortega said on Instagram. -- BAP, GMA News