Namajunas withdrew from UFC 249 after 2 family members died of COVID-19
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Former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas pulled out of her UFC 249 rematch with fellow ex-champ Jessica Andrade after two members of her family died of COVID-19, her manager announced Thursday.
"(Namajunas) withdrew from UFC 249 due to two deaths in the family related to the coronavirus," wrote Brian Butler-Au. "Her hopes are to return to the Octagon as soon as possible, but for now we ask for people to respect their privacy during this time."
After news of Namajunas' withdrawal was reported for then-unspecified reasons Wednesday, the fighter was criticized online for her decision.
Namajunas versus Andrade was scheduled to be the co-main event of the UFC's controversial pay-per-view event April 18. The UFC is reportedly searching for a replacement to face Andrade.
The 27-year-old Namajunas hasn't fought since losing her belt to Andrade last May.
In UFC 249's main event, Tony Ferguson will fight Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title after champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was forced to pull out after being stranded in a locked-down Russia.