The UFC 210 main card bout between Cynthia Calvillo and Pearl Gonzalez has been scrapped for an unlikely reason. According to MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani, a New York State Athletic Commission regulation regarding breast implants prevents Gonzalez from competing.
Here’s what Helwani stated on Twitter:
According to the NYSAC Medical Manual, “Due to the concern over rupture, boxers who have breast implants are not eligible to box in New York. Boxers who have had breast reduction surgeries are eligible to box.” The rule has been in place at least since 2014, making it easy to wonder what lead to this oversight by both the commission and the UFC.
Worth noting is that this statute is not exclusive to New York, or even the United States. In 2013, Louisiana temporarily banned fighters with breast implants from competing in MMA due to similar concerns over a rupture and in 2009, a British amateur boxer was not allowed to get into the ring due to her implants.
Calvillo (4-0) made her debut in March at UFC 209, taking an impressive win over The Ultimate Fighter season 23 standout Amanda Cooper in her promotional debut. That impressive showing resulted in a quick turnaround to help boost her momentum, but she is instead left frustrated.
Unfortunately, both Calvillo and Gonzalez are left with their immediate future up in the air. The UFC can easily re-book Calvillo for another card. Gonzalez, however, may have a harder time getting a fight as this situation has shined a light onto regulation that could make it more difficult for her (and other fighters with implants) to compete.
Update:
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