Steve Mowry Announces Exit from Bellator 242 Due to Positive COVID-19 Test

View this post on Instagram

. . . . . . . . . #mma #mixedmartialarts #fighter #hkickboxing #joneswrestling #barzinimma #burnsbjj #sperrybjj #striking #grappling #kickboxing #boxing #muaythai #wrestling #bjj #training #power #speed #competitor #combatsports #knockout #ko #submission #pressurefighter

A post shared by Steven Mowry (@tallstevefightspeople) on Jul 21, 2020 at 3:26pm PDT

Steve Mowry won’t be competing at Bellator 242.

The undefeated heavyweight prospect announced on Instagram that he tested positive for COVID-19 and is off Friday’s card. Mowry was supposed to face Rudy Schaffroth in a preliminary contest streamed on the promotion’s YouTube page. According to a report from Between Rounds Radio, Schaffroth will now face Maine-based heavyweight Ras Hylton at Bellator 242. The 32-year-old Hylton has compiled a 4-3 record on the regional circuit.

“So, uhhh, long story short I’m not fighting because of a positive COVID-19 test,” Mowry wrote. “2020, am I right?”

Mowry trains at Sanford MMA with Gilbert Burns and Aung La N Sang, both of whom also recently tested positive for coronavirus. The Pittsburgh native is 7-0 thus far in his professional career, including three triumphs under the Bellator banner.

Bellator 242 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut and is headlined by a bantamweight showdown between Sergio Pettis and Ricky Bandejas. The main card airs on Paramount Network at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT, while the preliminary card streams on YouTube at 8:45 p.m. ET/5:45 p.m. PT.

Note: This article was updated at approximately 10:51 p.m. ET to include new information regarding Schaffroth's replacement opponent.