Rose Namajunas pulled out of UFC 249 after two people in her family died from coronavirus, her manager announced on Thursday.

Former strawweight champion Namajunas was due to face Jessica Andrade in the co-main event on April 18, which was a rematch from losing her title to the Brazilian at UFC 237.

However, she became the second high-profile star to withdraw after Khabib Nurmagomedov's fight with Tony Ferguson was scratched due to travel restrictions resulting from the spread of COVID-19.

A statement issued on Instagram by Namajunas' representative Brian Butler read: "@rosenamajunas withdrew from UFC 249 due to 2 deaths in the family related to the coronavirus.

"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."

A replacement for Namajunas is yet to be announced, while Ferguson will face Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title.

UFC 249 was scheduled to take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn but a new location is being sought. According to the John Hopkins University, New York City has had over 87,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and more than 5,100 deaths.

UFC president Dana White has suggested the event could take place on a private island.