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UFC 260 title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega postponed due to COVID-19

UFC 260 is down one title fight due to COVID-19 protocols.

The promotion announced Saturday that next week's featherweight title fight between Alex Volkanovski and Brian Ortega has been called off after Volkanovski tested positive for the coronavirus.

"So devastated to share that I've tested positive for COVID-19 and my fight is off and will be rescheduled," Volkanovski said in a statement on Twitter, in part. "I tested negative leaving Australia, negative before entering the UFC bubble but my last test was positive. We have worked so hard getting ready for this fight and I am absolutely gutted this has happened. We followed every policy and process to remain covid free, but it wasn't meant to be this time."

Another fight in Saturday's event featuring Volkanovski's training partner Brad Riddell was reportedly called off for the same reason.

[UFC 260 on ESPN+ PPV: Buy Miocic-Ngannou fight here]

The UFC 260 bout stood to be Volkanovski's first title fight not involving Max Holloway, whom Volkanovski defeated for the belt in Dec. 2019. The Australian, currently ranked fifth in the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings, defeated Holloway once again in a rematch by split decision last year.

Ortega was scheduled for his second title challenge, having lost to Holloway by TKO in December 2018.

UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic's second fight against Francis Ngannou remains the main event for UFC 260. Former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley's bout against Vicente Luque is a natural pick to be elevated to co-main event status.

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