#Paige VanZant, husband facing sudden COVID-19 crisis

Paige VanZant is now chronicling an unexpected chapter to her story — a COVID-19 scare.

On Monday, the 26-year-old fighter — who recently agreed to a four-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship — detailed how husband Austin Vanderford recently contracted the novel coronavirus for the second time, while she’s tested negative for the lethal bug despite experiencing some symptoms.

“Well… we are officially sick,” VanZant began on Instagram. “We need your help though. So, Austin was starting to get sick and tested positive. I immediately went and got tested and it came back negative… the next day I started getting sick and have progressively been getting worse the last few days.”

VanZant, who also posted a video titled “MY HUSBAND GAVE ME COVID!!” to YouTube, said Monday she felt “absolutely terrible,” and had a 102-degree fever and “tons of other symptoms.”

“Has he been sick this whole time since he tested positive a month ago. I am so confused by all of this,” VanZant continued. “We are staying home but can’t seem to find any answers. Should I go get tested again????”

Vanderford, a fellow fighter, will be unable to compete in Bellator 246 on Saturday after testing positive again.

“Unfortunately I won’t be able to compete for @bellatormma next weekend. I tested positive for COVID (a second time now). To say it’s a bummer is a serious understatement. But I’m going to rest up and recover now. I’ll be ready to go ASAP ??. Stay healthy and safe,” Vanderford posted Saturday to Instagram.

In the video VanZant posted to YouTube, she also documents her COVID-19 nasal swab test, also noting she has the same symptoms as Vanderford.

“I have a bad cough… I’ve taken like 12 Advil today because I have a migraine so bad,” VanZant said in the video. “My eyes hurt really bad.”

Vanderford also noted they’ve had “five teammates just test positive,” with VanZant adding, “It totally makes sense for us to have it.”

The couple — married for two years — then asked fans and medical professionals for their advice on the pair’s current predicament.

“One, did Austin have it the first time? Two, did he have it the second time? Three, did he have it the entire time, because he has been sick this whole time and it has progressively gotten worse,” VanZant said. “And four, have I ever had it? Because I feel terrible and I feel really sick but I only test negative.”

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include a fever or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, and a cough, among others, according to the CDC.