Ottman Azaitar has been released by the UFC for violating COVID-19 security protocols at “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.
Azaitar was set to fight Matt Frevola at UFC 257 on Saturday, but didn’t make it to Friday’s official weighting. The reason was unknown until the UFC announced it was “aware of a recent breach of health and safety protocols involving” Azaitar, which resulted in the cancellation of his fight.
UFC President Dana White told MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun that Azaitar was cut for his actions and gave details of what happened.
“He and his team cut their wristbands and took them to people on the outside, one man,” White said. “This man got into the bubble, entered a room, shuffled down four balconies, went through (Azaitar’s) balcony and dropped a bag of which we don’t know what. Then he changed his clothes and went back outside the bubble. We’ve got everything on camera, we’ve seen the whole thing, and how it all went, pulled his fight and cut him. “
The UFC confirmed that Azaitar was removed from the security zone on Fight Island.
Azaitar, 30, is unbeaten 13-0. He got off to a blazing start in the UFC, scoring back-to-back knockouts in the first round against Teemu Packalen and Khama Worthy in his first two fights with the promotion, the last of which took place last September.