Report: UFC 249 fighters, coaches expected to be tested for COVID-19

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.

All Fighters, coaches, and training partners involved in UFC 249 are expected to be tested for COVID-19 prior to the event, sources told MMA Fighting's Damon Martin.

The promotion reportedly plans to send test kits to fighters and their teams ahead of the April 18 card. They will also get tested on site.

It's not yet known what kind of tests the promotion will use and what the turnaround time for results will be, according to Martin.

UFC president Dana White has assured that fighters, staff, and event personnel will receive "the best medical attention," but he's fallen short of explicitly saying they'll be tested ahead of events for the coronavirus.

The promotion has yet to reveal the new location for UFC 249, but the card is reportedly set to take place on California tribal land. Tony Ferguson versus Justin Gaethje will feature in the main event.

White has been adamant about moving forward with scheduled events amid the pandemic. The promotion was forced to postpone three cards from March 21 to April 11, but White said earlier this week he plans to hold several events at the yet-to-be-announced location over the next two months.