Matt Brown Announces Positive COVID-19 Result, Exit from UFC on ESPN 31 Card

Matt Brown won’t be fighting at UFC on ESPN 31 as originally planned.

“The Immortal” announced on Tuesday via social media that he has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him to withdraw from a proposed matchup with Bryan Barberena on the Dec. 4 card. It’s currently unknown if Barberena will remain on the card.

“S—-ty day today,” Brown wrote. I tested positive for COVID so my fight next weekend is off.

“I was sick af over the weekend but feel better for the most part now,” he added. “Lost smell today. Did a jog outside today and lungs burned some I thought maybe it was just the cold air but maybe I’m still sick. I’ll get over it quickly and go from there.”

Brown, 40, is coming off a second-round knockout of Dhiego Lima at UFC on ESPN 25 on June 19. That halted a two-bout skid for “The Ultimate Fighter 7” veteran, who has won three of his last five Octagon appearances dating back to 2017.

UFC on ESPN 31 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and is headlined by a bantamweight showdown between Jose Aldo and Rob Font.

Shitty day today I tested positive for covid so my fight next weekend is off

— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) November 24, 2021

I was sick af over the weekend but feel better for the most part now. Lost smell today. Did a jog outside today and lungs burned some I thought maybe it was just the cold air but maybe I’m still sick. I’ll get over it quickly and go from there

— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) November 24, 2021