Ottman Azaitar cut before UFC 257 due to bizarre violation of COVID-19 protocols

UFC undefeated lightweight Ottman Azaitar (13-0-0) began the week with an opportunity to further make a name for himself against Matt Frevola (8-1-1) at Saturday's UFC 257 show held at the Fight Island site on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

However, UFC boss Dana White confirmed on Friday that he cut Azaitar following a bizarre violation of the bubble's COVID-19 protocols. 

"So [Ottman Azaitar] and his team cut off their wrist bands, gave 'em to somebody outside the bubble," White explained when speaking with BT Sport, per TMZ Sports. "I don't know how they even did it.

"That guy taped [the wristbands], showed up here [on Fight Island] with a bag, went into a room, shimmied across 4 balconies, went in [Ottman's] room, dropped the bag off, changed his clothes, and then left.

"Now, when security tried to stop him, he wouldn't stop either way, and yeah, it's just bad."

White didn't dance around Azaitar's future. "He's gone," White said. "He's no longer a UFC fighter and he's not fighting [Saturday night]."

ESPN's Brett Okamoto added that Azaitar and his entire team were ordered off the property. 

Frevola will instead face Arman Tsarukyan (15-2-0) in the prelims of UFC 257. Tsarukyan was supposed to battle Nasrat Haqparast, but TSN's Aaron Bronsteter reported that Haqparast withdrew from the card because of an illness. 

Tsarukyan will forfeit 20% of his purse due to missing weight.