RIO DE JANEIRO — The UFC has informed its staff members on the ground in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, about the current health crisis going on the country ahead of this weekend’s event.
Three people have died
from methanol poisoning in drinks over the past few weeks in Brazil and more than 200 cases have been confirmed. Local authorities are still investigating the source of the tainted drinks — mainly vodka, gin and whiskey — and whether it’s intentional or accidental.
Brazil’s health minister Alexandre Padilha called the situation “abnormal and unlike anything else in our history regarding methanol poisoning in the country”, so the UFC has decided to add a new paragraph to their usual internal guideline ahead of international shows, according to a document obtained by MMA Fighting.
“There has been a rise in cases of methanol-tainted alcohol in Brazil,” the document read. “The country’s health minister, Alexandre Padilha, has urged individuals to avoid drinking alcohol, particularly distilled beverages, in which contamination is more difficult to detect. As a result, we urge you to exercise your best judgment if you plan to drink alcohol.”
UFC returns to the Brazil 17 months after its most recent show in Rio de Janeiro, when Alexandre Pantoja defended his belt against Steve Erceg in May 2024. Saturday’s Fight Night card will be headlined by Charles Oliveira and Mateusz Gamrot.
