Positive COVID-19 Tests Scraps Ian Heinisch-Brendan Allen Clash at UFC on ESPN 17

UFC on ESPN 17 is now down to 10 bouts after a positive COVID-19 test “involving” Ian Heinisch ahead of his middleweight showdown with Brendan Allen.

As a result, the contest has been canceled, and a featherweight clash between Giga Chikadze and James Krause-Simmons has been promoted to the main card. The Las Vegas-based promotion announced the news in a statement on Saturday.

UFC on ESPN 17 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and is headlined by a light heavyweight tilt pitting Thiago Santos against Glover Teixeira. The main cad airs on ESPN and ESPN+ beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, while prelims stream on ESPN+ at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

Heinisch and Allen were previously slated to meet at UFC on ESPN 12 on June 27 before Heinisch withdrew from the bout due to injury. The 32-year-old Heinisch snapped a two-fight skid with a first-round stoppage of Gerald Meerschaert in his most recent outing at UFC 250 on June 6.

Allen has kicked off his promotional tenure with three straight triumphs, including a three-round verdict over replacement foe Kyle Daukus at UFC on ESPN 12.