RIO DE JANEIRO – The UFC is informing staff on the ground in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil about the current health crisis ahead of this weekend’s event.
Over the past few weeks, three people have died from drink methanol poisoning, with over 200 confirmed cases. Local authorities are still investigating the sources of contaminated drinks, mainly vodka, gin and whiskey.
Brazilian Health Minister Alexandre Padirja called the situation “unlike other things in our history regarding domestic methanol poisoning,” and the UFC has decided to add a new paragraph to the usual internal guidelines ahead of the international show, according to documents obtained by the MMA fight.
“There is an increase in cases of methanol-contaminated alcohol in Brazil,” the document read. “The national health minister, Alexandre Padiha, has urged individuals to avoid drinking alcohol, especially distilled drinks. This drink is more difficult to detect contamination. As a result, we encourage you to exercise your best judgment if you plan to drink alcohol.”
The UFC returned to Brazil 17 months after its latest show in Rio de Janeiro, with Alexander Panthoja defending the belt against Steve Elsegg in May 2024.