Positive COVID-19 Test Knocks Austin Vanderford Out of Bellator 246

A positive COVID-19 test has forced Austin Vanderford out of a proposed bout against Daniel Madrid at Bellator 246.

Vanderford announced the news on his Instagram account following an initial report from MMAjunkie.com. Pat Casey has been targeted as a replacement opponent for Madrid in the middleweight contest.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to compete for [Bellator MMA] next weekend,” Vanderford wrote. “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. I’ll be ready to go ASAP. Stay healthy and safe.”

Bellator 246 takes place on Saturday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut and is headlined by a showdown between Juan Archuleta and Patrick Mix for the vacant bantamweight championship. The main card airs on Paramount Network and Dazn following prelims on Bellator’s YouTube channel.

The 30-year-old Vanderford is 9-0 as a professional and has kicked off his promotional tenure with three consecutive triumphs. Most recently, the Dana White’s Contender Series alum outpointed Grachik Bozinyan at Bellator 234 on Nov. 15.

View this post on Instagram

Unfortunately I won’t be able to compete for @bellatormma next weekend. 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. I’ll be ready to go ASAP . Stay healthy and safe.

A post shared by Austin Vanderford (@austinv170mma) on Sep 5, 2020 at 7:12am PDT