In the world of MMA, it is commonly said that the battle with the scale is just as important as the actual fight. The challenges of cutting weight and the subsequent failures to meet the required weight are a common occurrence in this sport. In the year 2024, we have been keeping track of every instance where a fighter has had trouble on the UFC scale or when fights had to be cancelled due to weight-related issues. Below is an ongoing list, organized in chronological order, of the fighters involved in these incidents.
Manel Kape
Event: UFC Fight Night 234
Date: January 13
Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas
Weight Class: Flyweight
Final weight: 129.5 pounds
Notes: Flyweight contender Manel Kape (19-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) exceeded the non-title weight limit significantly for his co-main event against Matheus Nicolau (19-4-1 MMA, 7-2 UFC). Both fighters weighed in during the weigh-in session, with Nicolau making weight at 126 pounds. Kape was initially penalized 25 percent of his purse, but the fight was ultimately canceled by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Malcolm Gordon
Event: UFC 297
Date: January 20
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Weight Class: Flyweight
Final weight: 127.5 pounds
Notes: Malcolm Gordon (14-7 MMA, 2-4 UFC) was one of the last two fighters to weigh in during the two-hour weigh-in window in Toronto. His expression spoke volumes when the curtain was drawn. Gordon was 1.5 pounds over the weight limit. In Ontario, fighters are given an additional hour to make weight, but this extra hour must fall within the two-hour window. With only about 17 minutes remaining on the clock, it was highly unlikely that Gordon would be able to meet the required weight. His opponent, Jimmy Flick (16-7 MMA, 1-2 UFC), successfully made weight early in the session at 126 pounds. Gordon made no further attempts and was fined 20 percent of his purse.
Ramon Taveras
Event: UFC 297
Date: January 20
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Weight Class: Bantamweight
Final weight: 139.5 pounds
Notes: Ramon Taveras (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) significantly missed the weight limit for his UFC debut against fellow newcomer Serhiy Sidey (10-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC). Taveras weighed in at 3.5 pounds over the non-title limit and was fined 30 percent of his purse.
Luana Carolina
Event: UFC Fight Night 235
Date: February 3
Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas
Weight Class: Women’s Flyweight
Final weight: 128 pounds
Notes: Luana Carolina (9-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC) exceeded the weight limit for her women’s flyweight bout on the prelims against Julija Stoliarenko (11-7-1 MMA, 2-5 UFC). Carolina initially weighed in at 129 pounds, but Stoliarenko insisted on Carolina reaching 128 pounds in order for the fight to proceed. The commission granted Carolina an additional hour to make weight and keep the fight intact. In a previous instance in 2021, Carolina also missed weight before a split decision victory over Poliana Botelho. She was fined 20 percent of her purse for that fight. Stoliarenko is currently favored to win the bout, marking the seventh consecutive time she has been the favorite.
Weight Classes:
– Women’s Strawweight: To Be Determined
– Women’s Flyweight (1): Luana Carolina (UFC FN 235)
– Women’s Bantamweight: To Be Determined
– Women’s Featherweight: To Be Determined
– Flyweight (2): Manel Kape (UFC FN 234), Malcolm Gordon (UFC 297)
– Bantamweight (1): Ramon Taveras (UFC 297)
– Featherweight: To Be Determined
– Lightweight: To Be Determined
– Welterweight: To Be Determined
– Middleweight: To Be Determined
– Light Heavyweight: To Be Determined
– Heavyweight: To Be Determined
According to the Source mmajunkie.usatoday.com