UFC Vegas 24 has taken another hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ricardo Ramos, who was scheduled to face Bill Algeo in a featherweight bout at the UFC APEX on Saturday night, has tested positive for the viral infection and was removed from the card, MMA Fighting has learned. MMAjunkie first reported the news.
“The test came back positive, unfortunately,” Ramos told MMA Fighting on Wednesday. “Thank God I’m fine and that’s what matters. I have no symptoms, but there’s nothing we can do.”
The UFC is currently looking for a replacement to face Algeo (14-5) this weekend in Las Vegas, sources said. A former Ring of Combat featherweight champion, “Senor Perfecto” scored his first UFC victory this past November, winning a decision over Spike Carlyle after a debut loss to former title contender Ricardo Lamas.
Ramos (14-3) was originally expected to clash with Zubaira Tukhugov before Algeo stepped in as a replacement. The Brazilian 145-pounder holds an octagon record of 5-2 with key wins over Aiemann Zahabi and Michinori Tanaka, but lost to Lerone Murphy in his most recent appearance.
UFC Vegas 24 will air live on ESPN and feature Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum in a five-round middleweight headliner.
