4 Men Involved in a Mixed Martial Art Event in S’pore were Tested Positive for COVID-19

From the looks of it, it appears that even the mythical likes of Rocky and Ali would not be impervious against the formidable COVID-19 virus.

Sure, they may boast ripped bodies with an almost illegal discipline, but the pandemic discriminates against no one.

A notion that’s evident from the curious case of these four mixed martial artists.

4 Men Involved in a Mixed Martial Art Event were Tested Positive for COVID-19

According to Channel News Asia, four mixed martial artists, who recently arrived on our shores for a ONE Championship event, have tested positive for the Coronavirus.

The revelation was subsequently confirmed by ONE Championship.

Apparently, the men, who hail from Brazil, Canada and Serbia, were in for a Thursday event titled ONE on TNT 1.

“One foreign participant who was on the same flight as one of these individuals also tested positive for COVID-19,” added ONE.

According to the news report, the three men have been termed as Cases 61571, 61577 and 61578.

Details of the fourth man remain veiled.

Meanwhile, on 7 April 2021, MOH disclosed that another imported case, who arrived from Canada, is a contact of 61577.

Identified as case 61624, the 35-year-old had reportedly come here for a sporting event as well.

Tested Negative

Apparently, the three identified men from Brazil, Canada and Serbia were here on short-term visit passes  “to participate in a sporting event”.

All of them reportedly tested negative prior to their flights.

“As part of the stringent protocols for foreign participants, they were placed in isolation upon arrival,” said ONE.

After testing positive, they were taken to hospital for treatment.

One has since been discharged following a positive serological result, which is indicative of a past infection.

“As an added precaution, he had undergone a (polymerase chain reaction) test on Apr 6 and tested negative for COVID-19. As such, he will be allowed to participate in the event.”

The circumstances behind the other three foreign participants, however, are not clear.

“In line with ONE’s protocols and the Singapore Government’s regulations,” ONE said. “All foreign and local-based athletes and cornermen must be isolated until they receive a negative test result, after which they will follow a strictly controlled itinerary that has been pre-approved.

“Public health and safety remain our top priority. We will continue to work with the Singapore Government to ensure the safety of our athletes, crew and community,” said ONE Championship.

Previous Instances

Since last October, when ONE Championship officially revived international events, seven COVID-19 cases have been reported.

Last October, two cornermen were verified positive after undergoing pre-event screening protocols.

And in November 2020, another cornerman tested positive after flying in from Belarus.

Featured Image: Facebook (ONE Championship)