A moment of tension at the UFC 320 weigh-ins cast a brief shadow of doubt over the co-main event. Following their intense face-off, Merab Dvalishvili and Cory Sandhagen had one crucial step remaining before their highly anticipated Saturday night clash.
Dvalishvili, nicknamed `The Machine,` is slated for his third significant bout of the year at the T-Mobile Arena on October 4. Anticipation is high for Dvalishvili`s victory, despite the formidable challenge from his opponent, though pre-fight events suggested potential complications.
Dvalishvili Successfully Makes Weight Amidst Delays and Weigh-In Concerns at UFC 320
Ahead of this crucial bout, some observers consider Merab Dvalishvili among the greatest bantamweights ever. While a win on Saturday would undoubtedly bolster his legacy, pre-fight weigh-in jitters sparked fears that the bout might not proceed.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission faced an apparent issue, experiencing prolonged delays in officially registering Dvalishvili`s weight after he stepped onto the scale. He was instructed to step off and then back on the scale, with the extended wait for the official reading generating palpable anxiety among live observers.
Following yet another pause, a curtain was utilized for Dvalishvili to disrobe, and moments later, his weight was confirmed precisely at 135 pounds.
Earlier, Cory Sandhagen had successfully weighed in at 134.5 pounds, officially solidifying his participation in the co-main event.
UFC 320 Weigh-In Update: Main Card Fights Confirmed, Catchweight Bout, and One Miss
To the relief of fight fans, the status of the two featured bouts for this Saturday`s event was confirmed early during the weigh-in session.
Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira both successfully met the light heavyweight limit for their highly anticipated main event rematch scheduled for October 4.
Only one fighter, Macy Chiasson, initially failed to make weight, registering 138 pounds for her bantamweight bout against Yana Santos. Following a brief use of the curtain, Chiasson weighed in at 137.5 pounds, leaving her with an hour to cut the remaining half-pound to 136.
A notable adjustment was made to the Daniel Santos vs. Yoo Joo-Sang fight, which will now proceed as a catchweight bout at 153 pounds, instead of its original featherweight designation. Santos weighed in at 151 pounds, while his opponent tipped the scales at 152.5 pounds. The reason for this last-minute alteration from the 145-pound featherweight limit has not yet been disclosed.