Fighter Smiles While Being Choked at UFC 249 [WATCH]

In the first fight of May 9’s UFC 249, light heavyweights met in the center of the Octagon. “Smile’n” Sam Alvey took on Ryan “Superman” Spann in a back-and-forth standup battle.

During the first round, Spann locked in a tight standing arm-triangle choke, but Alvey was able to get out of it. At one point during the submission attempt, Smile’n lived up to his nickname after he appeared to smile at referee Dan Miragliotta. Here is the video:

The fight went all three rounds, and Superman was the victor by split decision. With the victory, Spann improved his professional mixed martial arts record to 18-5, and he extended his win streak to eight.

Alvey has been hit with another defeat, making it four losses in a row for the fighter. On Saturday night, his professional record dropped to 33-14 and one no contest.

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Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza vs. Uriah Hall Was Canceled After Jacare Tested Positive for COVID-19

The night before UFC 249, Ronald “Jacare” Souza tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus, forcing him off the card along with his opponent Uriah Hall. In a statement, the UFC said:

The middleweight bout between Uriah Hall vs Jacaré Souza will no longer be on the UFC 249 preliminary card due to one of Souza’s COVID-19 tests indicating a positive result.

In addition, COVID-19 tests for Souza’s two cornermen were also flagged as positive. UFC’s medical team examined Souza and his two cornermen and found them to be currently asymptomatic, or not exhibiting the common symptoms of COVID-19. As per UFC’s health and safety protocols, all three men have left the host hotel and will be self-isolating off premises, where UFC’s medical team will monitor their conditions remotely and will provide assistance with any necessary treatment.

According to the promotion, there hasn’t been any other fighters or cornermen that have tested positive for the virus.

Main Card

Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje
Henry Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz
Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Jeremy Stephens vs. Calvin Kattar
Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan de Castro

Preliminary Card

Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone
Aleksei Oleinik vs. Fabricio Werdum
Carla Esparza vs. Michelle Waterson
Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price

Early Preliminary Card

Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa
Ryan Spann vs. Sam Alvey

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