For most fans, it came as no surprise that TUF runner up Damarques Johnson was released from his UFC contract after losing to Icelandic sensation Gunnar Nelson at UFC on Fuel TV 5 two weeks ago.
The only surprise was that it took so long to reach that decision, after Johnson had lost his third straight fight—a fight for which he missed weight by more than 7 lbs.
However, UFC matchmaker Joe Silva has now given full details of what transpired leading up to the decision to cut Johnson. (H/T MMA Fighting).
Johnson was a late replacement for Pascal Kraus, who was supposed to fight Nelson, but an injury left Silva searching for a different opponent.
At first, Silva approached American Top Team prospect Rich Attonito. Silva was later informed that Attonito would not make the 170 lb weight limit. Silva then, according to MMA Fighting, offered a 175 lb catch-weight fight, which Attonito again agreed to. However, the next day, Silva was told Attonito could not make that weight either, and Silva promptly decided to release the fighter
It was then that Johnson was approached and fully briefed on the story that had gone down with Attonito. Aware of all the risks, Johnson, on September 17, agreed to step in and take the fight against Nelson.
What must have felt like déjà vu for Silva, Johnson called him later in the week, telling him he was unlikely to make 170, and once again, it was decided that the match would take place at 175 lb catch-weight. But on the night, Johnson weighed in at 183 lbs.
“I thought it was incredibly unfair to Gunnar Nelson to fight someone that much larger than him,” Silva told MMA fighting. “Johnson told me he could make the weight. He’s not doing me a favour if he missed weight because I could have gotten someone else who would have made the weight.
“I never pressure anyone to take late notice fights. I got a bunch of guys who want to fight. If one says no, I will find someone else. No problem.”
Fighters who miss weight are marked men within the UFC, even moreso than those who rack-up three fight losing streaks. On Saturday September 29, Johnson achieved both feats simultaneously and was, a week later, given his marching orders.
Johnson has had a torrid time in the UFC, going 5-6 in his fights for the promotion. What’s most surprising to me, is that he was reportedly walking around at 210 lbs when he was offered the fight in mid-September, knew full well that he had two straight losses on his record and took the fight anyway.
Definitely a crisis of his own making.
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