Miesha Tate Tests Positive For COVID-19, UFC Fight Night 195 Clash With Ketlen Vieira Postponed

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari - Zuffa LLC

A positive COVID-19 test result from former UFC bantamweight champion, Miesha 'Cupcake' Tate has forced her from a UFC Fight Night 195 headliner against fellow contender, Ketlen 'Fenomeno' Vieira -- with the pairing expected to remain intact and land on a card later this year.

Tate, a former undisputed UFC bantamweight champion as well as a titleholder in the now-defunct, Strikeforce promotion, called a halt to her November 2016 retirement in July of this year -- returning to the Octagon in a UFC Vegas 31 co-headlining bout against the retiring, Marion Reneau where she lodged an impressive third round ground strikes knockout victory.

According to an initial report from Sherdog, Tate recently returned a positive test result for COVID-19 -- resulting in the postponing of her October 16. main event clash with Manaus native, Vieira. Per a latter report from MMA Fighting reporter, Damon Martin, whilst not finalized at the time of publication, a potential November landing pad for the reworked bout has been earmarked. 

For Brazilian finisher, Vieira, she is expected to be removed from the October 16. UFC Fight Night 195 card entirely as a result of Tate's positive test result, in favour of rebooking the matchup later this year. 

The #7 ranked contender last featured professionally at UFC Vegas 19 in February where she suffered a unanimous decision loss against former featherweight title challenger, Yana Kunitskaya. 

In her last promotional victory, Vieira rebounded from a spectacular first round knockout loss to Irene Aldana at UFC 244 in November 2019 -- to defeat fellow bantamweight, Sijara Eubanks at UFC 253 last September in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

At the time of publication, a new headlining bout for the October 16. 'Fight Night' billed event has yet to be determined by the organization.