Morning Report: Cody Garbrandt reveals ongoing complications with COVID-19,

On Saturday night, UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo successfully defended his title with a first-round submission of Alex Perez. It was a dominant performance from the champion, but one that was really never supposed to happen in the first place. Originally, Figueiredo was set to face former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt, however, Garbrandt was forced out of the bout in October due to a bicep injury.

But that isn’t all the bad luck that has befallen “No Love.” When Garbrandt was forced to withdraw from his title shot, he revealed that he also has contracted COVID-19 prior to his injury and that it had adversely affected his training. Even now, several months after coming down with the virus, Garbrandt says he is still suffering the effects of it.

On Twitter, Gabrandt reacted to Figueiredo’s win, saying he was healing up from COVID-19 but still wanted to face the champion.

And then in an Instagram story (quotations courtesy of MMAMania), Garbrandt revealed the extent to which COVID-19 has been affecting him.

“Disclaimer from my last post, I was positive for COVID Aug 29th. Since then I have been battling vertigo, tore my vein in my bicep which resulted in finding out I have blood clots, pneumonia and mental fog, these are the symptoms I’ve had and been dealing with and this is the reason I pulled out of the fight. I haven’t done any media, but I’d like to address it on my own terms.”

When Garbrandt withdrew from the fight, he was targeting a later December return to the cage, assuming his bicep injury cooperated, but given his statements about recovery that doesn’t seem likely. In fact, speaking with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Garbrandt targeted March 2021 for his return.

“Alex Perez was just someone they gave Figueiredo to build up our fight more,” Garbrandt said. “I knock that guy (Figueiredo) out in the first or second round. I’ll be ready by March.”

Fortunately for Garbrandt, that timeline should work out well for the UFC who has already booked Figueiredo for another title defense in just 21 days. Figueiredo will take on fellow UFC 255 winner Brandon Moreno as the main event of UFC 256 next month.

Results. Deiveson Figueiredo and Valentina Shevchenko retained their titles at UFC 255.

Turnaround. Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno targeted for UFC 256.

Contender. Dana White: Jessica Andrade ‘a real problem’ for Valentina Shevchenko.

Retirement. Dana White: ‘Shogun’ Rua ‘looked like a shell of his former self,’ wants him to retire.

Damn. Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling scrapped from UFC 256.

Continuing. Anderson Silva addresses UFC release, states ‘desire to continue doing what I love’.

Hall of Fame. Longtime combat sports regulator Marc Ratner announced for UFC Hall of Fame.

UFC 255 Post Fight Show.

UFC 255 post-fight presser.

Kayla Harrison is against cutting weight.

Fighters pick this weekend’s fight.