Jorge Masvidal’s preparations ahead of his fight with Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 this weekend have been dealt a major blow after his coach tested positive for coronavirus.

The American’s cornerman Mike Brown will now be unable to travel to 'Fight Island’ for the welterweight title bout in Abu Dhabi.

Another of Masvidal’s corner team, Gabriel de Oliveira, also tested positive in the latest round of testing carried out by the UFC.

After the news was confirmed, Brown posted a statement which said: "I’m OK, (tested) positive. I won’t be in Abu Dhabi."

Brown’s absence further dents Masvidal’s belated preparations for the Usman fight as ‘Gamebred’ took the bout on six days notice.

Brazilian Gilbert Burns was originally scheduled to take on Usman in the first Fight Island main event this weekend, but he had to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19.

Shortly after Burns was confirmed to be out of his fight, bantamweight Pedro Munhoz pulled out of his main event showdown with Frankie Edgar on July 15 after he also contracted the virus.

This weekend’s first Abu Dhabi show will be the UFC’s ninth event since returning from the coronavirus pandemic on May 9.

The MMA organisation are carrying out rigorous testing procedures in order to ensure the virus does not spread at any of their events.

All fighters and team members are being tested before they fly out to Fight Island and then will be tested several more times before Saturday night.