Expect the debate over weight cutting to start heating up again after today’s troubling scene at APEX in Las Vegas. That’s where UFC bantamweight Julija Stoliarenko collapsed on the scale, was sent back to weigh in, then collapsed a second time before getting carted away on a stretcher.
Stoliarenko (9-4-2) was scheduled to fight 135-pound veteran Julia Avila at the UFC Vegas 22 event tomorrow night (Sat., March 20, 2021) on the ESPN2/ESPN+ “Prelims” portion of the card; however, the Lithuanian was ruled medically unfit to compete after what happened today in “Sin City.”
Which included a second collapse.
Here’s the part where they pick Julija Stoliarenko up and put her on the scale, only to have her collapse again. Scary stuff. Her fight is officially off (vid via the #MMAJunkie stream) #UFCVegas22 pic.twitter.com/Vnqi5vrDB0
— MMA mania (@mmamania) March 19, 2021
Here’s the stretcher scene:
Was able to weigh in – 135.5 lbs but not stand after, scary site #UFCVegas22 pic.twitter.com/VhaBmZ9SWD
— The Schmo (@TheSchmo312) March 19, 2021
Scary stuff.
Stoliarenko, 27, appeared to be awake and coherent as they carted her off and I’m sure we’ll get a statement from her or her team later today. As for Avila, who successfully made weight at 135.5, she’s likely to receive her “show” purse now that her fight has been called off.
For the rest of the UFC Vegas 22 weigh-in results click here.