Ilia Topuria’s return to the light-weight division hit the slightest of snags.
The previous featherweight champion was first to step to the dimensions Friday morning for the UFC 317 official weigh-ins and he appeared assured he would hit the 155-pound restrict with ease. Nevertheless, when Nevada State Athletic Fee Govt Director Jeff Mullen learn off his weight, he initially introduced Topuria at 155.5 kilos, which is over the restrict for a light-weight title battle.
Nobody appeared to react at first and Topuria did a conventional post-weigh-in flex, however then he was requested to not step off the dimensions. Mullen returned to the dimensions, adjusted it, after which stated, “155, I misspoke.”
Watch the unusual second beneath.
Shortly after, Saturday’s light-weight championship primary occasion grew to become official as Charles Oliveira additionally efficiently made weight, coming in a shade underneath at 154.5 kilos. Topuria and Oliveira vie for a belt left vacant by No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Islam Makhachev, who is about to maneuver as much as welterweight to battle titleholder Jack Della Maddalena.
Backup Arman Tsarukyan additionally efficiently made weight, coming in at 155 kilos.
For the co-main occasion, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and challenger Kai Kara-France each hit the mark at 125 kilos.
There was one main change introduced at Friday’s official weigh-ins as a bout between Christopher Ewert and Jackson McVey has been cancelled from the preliminary portion of the cardboard. Ewert was stepping in on lower than per week’s discover for Sedriques Dumas, however initially of the morning weigh-ins, officers introduced Ewert was faraway from the bout attributable to weight-cutting points.
See UFC 317 official weigh-in outcomes beneath.
Foremost Card (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET)
Ilia Topuria (155) vs. Charles Oliveira (154.5)
Backup Fighter: Arman Tsarukyan (155)
Alexandre Pantoja (125) vs. Kai Kara-France (125)
Brandon Royval (125.5) vs. Joshua Van (125.5)
Beneil Dariush (156) vs. Renato Moicano (156)
Payton Talbott (136) vs. Felipe Lima (135.5)
Preliminary Card (ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET)
Jack Hermansson (185.5) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (186)
Hyder Amil (145.5) vs. Jose Miguel Delgado (145.5)
Viviane Araujo (125.5) vs. Tracy Cortez (126)
Terrance McKinney (156) vs. Viacheslav Borshchev (155)
Early Prelims (ESPN+/Disney+ at 6:30 p.m. ET)
Niko Value (170.5) vs. Jacobe Smith (170.5)
Jhonata Diniz (257.5) vs. Alvin Hines (259.5)
Christopher Ewert vs. Jackson McVey (185) – battle canceled
