What a fucking bummer, the UFC has been really messy this past year and this is just about rock bottom. Has to be.
This is par for the course for pro MMA in New York (granted this was not the commission's fault this time). They always have some sort of issue whether it be announcing the wrong decision for Woodley/Wonderboy, weigh-in fuck ups with DC (towelgate), letting one fighter fight with breast implants and then trying to avoid clearing another fighter for the same reason, ruling Michael Chandler unable to continue because of his ankle and then taking his seat away lol. It does not shock me that they would have this luck. It's cursed.
It's easy to say in hindsight, but making Ortega vs. Khabib would have been ideal earlier this week. That fight is an amazing stylistic match up anyway.
I was all for Ortega. That would’ve been the first fight we’ve seen Khabib in where he has to worry and be careful putting the opponent on their back.
The MMA gods are taking from us months in advance because they know Lesnar is going to get a title shot.
Don't you think this past year has been especially bad for weigh cut misses and Jon Jones obviously and injuries at the last minute? I get some of it isn't UFC's fault, I think the weight cut stuff is.
For what it’s worth, Max’s nutritionist said the cut was going fine. I guess his balls ended up being too heavy for the scale.
Not sure why, but I didn't even consider a replacement fight a "title fight" but apparently they're trying to make Pettis hit 155 exactly since he was less than a pound away... I would say if he doesn't make that, Khabib will turn down the fight. At this point, what does he gain by taking a non-title fight on a day's notice? Edit: Oh, apparently Pettis isn't going to try weighing in again. Officially 155.2
Oh yeah for sure. People are having a tough time now. It's such an unfortunate part of the sport. It's ridiculous.
Not to mention, if you crafted a fighter that was the worst possible stylistic match up to Pettis.....Khabib is still worse than that.
I agree. I can see the rankings issue both ways... 1) you don't want to put an extreme mismatch together because you have to be a respectable commission and only sanction fights that you're okay with but... 2) rankings are bullshit and you should use your best judgement here and know that Felder is legit and easily better than Pettis at this point.
And they agreed to let a 145'er come up on a weeks notice no problem, but someone that made weight can't fight Khabib? Just pull Khabib from the card already.
Exactly. Like all they care about is how it looks on paper. "Oh this guy is a champion, he'll be fine coming up in weight" "Wait, this guy isn't in the top 10, we can't let him fight!" But yeah I agree, just pull him. No one else is going to be able to make championship weight and get cleared, and there's no reason for a non-title fight.
Although, without knowing the numbers, I find it semi-odd they didn't pony up for Pettis. I mean, I get it both ways, but yeesh.
I’m sure, in hindsight, they wish they had taken that deal. My guess is that they balked at Pettis’ offer because they knew that Felder made weight and would do it without asking for a pay raise. So they let the clock run out on Pettis making that weight. I doubt they anticipated the commission’s concerns about Felder’s ranking.
NYSAC is just making it up as they go along at this point. Felder was a no because of his rank. And they just said Pettis (a professional, former world champion) is unfit to go 5 rounds. Al is the last hope.