Outside Source
Saturday’s UFC Norfolk main event just took a major hit.
Deiveson Figueiredo weighed in 2.5 pounds over the flyweight championship limit for his upcoming bout with Joseph Benavidez, making him ineligible to compete for the title. The bout will proceed as scheduled with Figueiredo forfeiting 30 percent of his purse.
Only Benavidez is eligible to win the title, which will officially be vacated by Henry Cejudo on Saturday.
Figueiredo was given an extra hour to attempt to make 125 pounds, but officials told ESPN that Figueiredo will not be cutting anymore weight. This is Figueiredo’s first time missing weight in the UFC; however, he had only hit 125 on the dot once in seven previous appearances (non-title bouts have a one-pound allowance).
Had Figueiredo made weight, he would have been the second Brazilian to contend for the UFC flyweight title. Wilson Reis unsuccessfully challenged Demetrious Johnson at UFC on FOX 24 on April 15, 2017.
For Benavidez, this will be his third attempt at capturing the UFC flyweight championship after two previous title fight losses to Johnson.
One other fighter missed weight on Friday, featherweight Grant Dawson. Dawson weighed in at 149.5 pounds, 3.5 pounds over the featherweight limit. He forfeits 30 percent of his purse to opponent Darrick Minner and the bout will proceed as scheduled.
This article first appeared at MMA Fighting – All Posts
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