On Friday, and just hours before he was due to challenge Patricio Freire for the Bellator featherweight title as part of the promotion’s 145-pound grand prix, Scott Coker announced that the event was to be postponed due to the spread of the coronavirus.
The event, which was taking place in the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, had already been changed to be taking place behind closed doors but health concerns led Coker to changing plans just hours before the first bell.
The health and safety of everyone involved have, and will remain, our top priority as we move forward. After carefully monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, @BellatorMMA has chosen to postpone this evening’s Bellator 241 event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) March 13, 2020
Coker later stated that each fighter on the card will be paid their purses, while all other workers like cutmen, referees and judges, will also be financially reimbursed.
Despite the disappointment of the biggest fight of his career to date falling apart just hours before he was due to set foot on the canvas, Carvalho took to social media to outline how he feels the cancellation was the correct call and praised Coker for his treatment of the fighters.
It’s with huge sadness that I announce that the show of today was postponed because of the current events..
I’m completely devastated but at the same time keeping the focus because sooner or later I’ll get what is mine.
I truly don’t know what else to say right now..
Much love ❤️ pic.twitter.com/yOqnoozuq4— Pedro Carvalho (@PCarvalhoMMA) March 13, 2020
Thank you @BellatorMMA @ScottCoker for looking after the athletes health and show that our lives are a priority for the company 🙏🙏 we’ll be back soon 100% @John_Kavanagh
— Pedro Carvalho (@PCarvalhoMMA) March 14, 2020
Champions are not made of victories or triumphs, true champions are made and forged from set backs, failures and downs!!
True champions embrace with both arms adversity, the average avoids it!!
Me being world champion is inevitable, so it’s all good if was today or in a month!! pic.twitter.com/eCUS4a5nbR— Pedro Carvalho (@PCarvalhoMMA) March 14, 2020
As of yet, there is no indication as to when the Carvalho-Freire bout will be rearranged.
