Pearl Gonzalez Withdraws from Invicta FC 43 Title Bout Due to Positive COVID-19 Test

View this post on Instagram

Please take care of yourselves, Chicago this shit is brutal!!

A post shared by PEARL GONZALEZ (@pearlgonzalez) on Nov 2, 2020 at 11:00am PST

A positive COVID-19 test has knocked Pearl Gonzalez out of a matchup with Erin Blanchfield for the vacant flyweight crown at Invicta FC 43 on Nov. 20.

Gonzalez announced the news in a tearful video on her Instagram account Monday.

“I’m really sorry, but I’m not fighting on Nov. 20,” Gonzalez said in a video. “I got COVID and I’m really sick these last couple of days. My camp, [Invicta FC President] Shannon [Knapp], myself, just decided it would be best and that if I hold out. One, I might not be cleared of the COVID test anymore and two, I’m really f—-ing sick. This is really f—-ing brutal.

“I just wanted to tell you guys that I’m really sorry. I’m heartbroken. But I’m gonna focus on getting stronger.”

A promotion official confirmed to MMAFighting.com that Gonzalez vs. Blanchfield will be postponed until a later event. Meanwhile, a strawweight championship showdown between Emily Ducote and Montserrat Ruiz will serve as the new Invicta FC 43 main event.

Invicta FC 43 takes place on Nov. 20 in Kansas City and will stream on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The event takes place behind closed doors and will utilize open scoring. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.

A two-time UFC veteran, Gonzalez previously challenged for the flyweight crown at Invicta FC 34, where she fell to Vanessa Porto via technical decision. “The Chi-Town Princess” rebounded to outpoint Brogan Walker-Sanchez at Invicta FC 37 before dropping a unanimous verdict to Miranda Maverick at Invicta FC 39.

Blanchfield has been victorious in six of her first seven professional outings. Thus far in 2020, the Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu product has defeated Victoria Leonardo via second-round head kick at Invicta FC 39 and earned a three-round verdict over Walker-Sanchez at Invicta FC 41.