The combat sports world narrowly escaped yet another ruined UFC card earlier today (Fri., Oct. 6, 2017) when Kevin Lee initially missed weight for his interim lightweight title fight with Tony Ferguson tomorrow (Sat., Oct. 7, 2017) at UFC 216 live on pay-per-view (PPV) from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Lee, who proclaimed that he would have to cut 19 pounds in 24 hours to make the 155 benchmark, weighed in at 156 pounds after stepping on the scale at the last second (full weigh ins replay here). After his failed attempt, Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) allotted “Motown Phenom” one additional hour to cut the final pound after doctors cleared him.
Kevin Lee could not believe he missed weight for #UFC216. He’ll get to try again in an hour. Live weigh in stream: https://t.co/QpWMxWAIxE pic.twitter.com/EBtwYGVmQu
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) October 6, 2017
Despite weighing in at 154.5 pounds on his second attempt and making his title fight with Ferguson at UFC 216 official, the mixed martial arts (MMA) community held nothing back when discussing Lee’s struggles on the scale:
If he Would have put as much thought into his diet as he does his outfits …
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) October 6, 2017
#tiramisu bites @TonyFergusonXT in the ass again.
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) October 6, 2017
Damn you now we’re gonna hear more tiramisu jokes from tony https://t.co/3nKGY6CNve
— Belal muhammad (@bullyb170) October 6, 2017
I fear it’s going to take a serious injury or even death for something to change in this sport. Need more weight classes … yesterday. 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185 etc. Instead of fake interim belts, just do that! Easy and healthy. What’s taking so long?
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 6, 2017
Conor McGregor (@thenotoriousmma ) made this comment at his Glasgow event last week. Considering Kevin Lee’s weigh… https://t.co/hqjeMbgaOb pic.twitter.com/wjTa6IeUXG
— TheMacLife (@Maclifeofficial) October 6, 2017
If Kevin Lee can’t fight tomorrow, you know the right fight to make is Tony Ferguson vs. Fabricio Werdum. Pride would do that.
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) October 6, 2017
He’ll make it ! In dramatic fashion ! Let’s go @MoTownPhenom real fights almost over ! Time to go have fun ! https://t.co/t9v8m7uUlv
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) October 6, 2017
I guess Kevin Lee wasn’t lying about weighing 170 + ??? #UFC216
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) October 6, 2017
It was the tiramisu again @MMAFighting @arielhelwani @ufc #weightcut
— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) October 6, 2017
Kevin Lee’s hair has to weigh at least an ounce or two. Shave that lettuce!
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) October 6, 2017
Lee, you better make this fucking weight homie!! #UFC216 https://t.co/aB8b0ZDndR
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) October 6, 2017
@MoTownPhenom Doofus
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) October 6, 2017
Lee will have his chance to put this potentially disastrous weight cut behind him and overthrow “El Cucuy” at UFC 216 this weekend to claim the interim lightweight strap.