UFC issued this memo moments ago regarding
the then-new policy of fighters having to pay for COVID tests out
of pocket: pic.twitter.com/7yGiflTj1E— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
December 15, 2021
While the UFC has updated its COVID-19 protocol, the promotion
won’t be requiring its athletes to cover the cost of pre-fight
testing as was recently reported.
In a memo sent out to fighters, UFC chief business officer Hunter
Campbell revealed that the organization will no longer provide
at-home testing kits as they did earlier in the pandemic. Instead,
athletes will have the freedom to handle their own testing with the
promotion reimbursing them for the expense. To be reimbursed, a
copy of the receipt and a test result must be submitted to the UFC
medical coordinator.
“Please be advised that we are updating UFC’s COVID-19 testing
program to give all athletes and corners the freedom and
flexibility to secure their own COVID-19 test prior to departing
for their scheduled UFC event,” Campbell stated in a memo.
“This change is being made because low-cost COVID-19 testing has
become readily accessible in the U.S. and abroad. To clarify, UFC
will reimburse you for the initial cost of securing your own
pre-departure test. As a result, UFC will no longer provide at-home
testing kits. Recent reports in the media that athletes will be
forced to bear the costs of ‘COVID testing’ are incorrect and
irresponsible.”
The document appears to be in response to an
initial report from Ariel Helwani, which claimed fighters and
corners would be responsible for covering their own costs for the
testing. Helwani doubled
down on his reporting after the UFC issued the updated testing
program, however.
Additionally, Campbell wrote that the UFC will continue with its
current plan of testing fighters and cornermen twice during fight
week.
“Furthermore, there are no plans to change UFC’s current COVID-19
testing program during fight week, which requires all athletes and
corners to undergo testing twice (2X) prior to participating in
their scheduled event,” Campbell wrote. “These fight week tests
will continue to be provided at no cost to you.
“UFC is very proud of its industry leading COVID-19 testing
program, which has produced the lowest positivity rate in all of
sports, and which has allowed us to continue to hold events and to
provide opportunities for you to continue to compete.”
The new policy is expected to take effect immediately, beginning
with Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 199 card, which is headlined by a
heavyweight tilt between Derrick
Lewis and Chris
Daukaus at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.