All eight welterweight competitors met their required weights ahead of Battlegrounds MMA’s one-night single-elimination tournament at Thursday’s weigh-ins in Tulsa, Okla.
The only snag in the proceedings came when former UFC fighter Cody McKenzie weighed in at 172.4 pounds on his first attempt. McKenzie was granted two hours to shed the extra 1.4 pounds, and successfully did so — albeit in an unusual fashion, drawing a pint of blood before making the 171-pound limit on his second attempt.
Following the weigh-ins, match-ups for the tournament’s opening round were determined by a lottery ball draw.
McKenzie (15-4) will collide against fellow UFC veteran Brock Larson (37-8), while Joe Ray (11-3) will meet Luigi Fiorvanti (24-11), Jesse Taylor (27-10) will meet Trey Houston (10-2), and Roan Carneiro will meet late replacement Randall Wallace (9-2).
All tournament fights are scheduled to be contested for three five-minute rounds. Elbows will not be permitted until the final match. The winner of the bracket will earn a $50,000 grand prize.
Three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen and legendary WWE broadcaster Jim Ross are expected to announce the event, which will air live on pay-per-view Friday night.