The UFC 183 weigh-ins were weird to say the least. The fallout could affect what was shaping up to be the most entertaining fights on the card. Two fighters who figured to have a great chance to make a statement were grossly overweight. One more than the other.
Per UFC.com, welterweight—and we use that term only in the technical sense—Kelvin Gastelum weighed in at 180 pounds on Friday night. That’s 10 pounds overweight, while his opponent Tyron Woodley came in at a svelte 170.5. This isn’t the first time Gastelum has missed weight for a fight. It’s becoming a bit too common for him, and it will ultimately damage his reputation with fans and his peers.
Because of Gastelum’s issues, he will be fined 30 percent of his fight purse.
Flyweight contender John Lineker weighed in at 130 pounds, which is five pounds over the mark for his bout with Ian McCall. Fox Sports’ Damon Martin took both fighters to task in this tweet:
As it is, at least three fighters are going to earn Fight Night bonuses. Before “WeightGate,” I considered tabbing Lineker and McCall for Fight of the Night. However, with Lineker coming in heavy, I’m backing off.
Here are my revised predictions for Fight Night bonuses.
Performance of the Night Bonuses
Derek Brunson
Brunson is far from infallible, but his opponent on Saturday doesn’t have the striking prowess to take advantage of his deficiencies. Brunson is going to knock Ed Herman out, and it’s going to be pretty vicious.
Herman is a grappler who will desperately want to get this fight to the ground. However, because Brunson is a bigger, quicker and more explosive athlete, Herman will have issues closing the distance. It’s only a matter of time before Brunson catches him with something that makes you say: “ooh.”
When the evening ends, Brunson will be receiving one of the $50,000 bonuses.
Thales Leites
Since he returned to the UFC in 2013, Leites has looked dominant. He’s won all four of his fights, and the last two have come by way of stoppage.
He has a tough and desperate Tim Boetsch in front of him, but the talent difference between the two men is clear. Leites has added some effective striking to go with his excellent submission skills. The result is a far more complete fighter than he was five years ago.
Boetsch is rugged, but Leites is going to pick him apart and dare him to go for a takedown. Based on dominance over a noteworthy opponent, Leites is my other pick for POTN.
Fight of the Night
Al Iaquinta vs. Joe Lauzon
While I considered Lineker-McCall for FOTN, the mix of styles that is Iaquinta vs. Lauzon was too intriguing to deny. When you consider Iaquinta’s raging and aggressive style and factor in Lauzon’s six previous FOTN awards, it’s hard not to tab this as the favorite to win best scrap on the card.
Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed can’t pick a winner.
Lauzon is known for his submission skills, but he has vastly improved his striking over the years. Still, he won’t be a match in the stand-up game against Iaquinta for extended periods.
It’ll be fun to watch these two warriors battle to impose their style and will on the other.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.
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