Former UFC fighter Bryan Battle no doubt wishes he did this 13 days earlier instead…
UFC 319 took place on August 16 and was a successful event, with a number of memorable finishes taking place before Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis in the main event to start a new middleweight era.
But fight week was far from smooth for MMA’s leading promotion, with a number of matchups falling through on late notice. Days before the Chicago pay-per-view, the bouts began to fall off the lineup rapidly, with the third cancellation in the space of just two days coming after a shocking error on the scale.
Battle missed weight by four pounds for UFC 319, resulting in his middleweight clash against Nursulton Ruziboev being scrapped. The indiscretion marked the American’s second straight weight miss and came despite ‘The Butcher’ moving up after failing to hit the welterweight limit.
Just 13 days later, though, Battle was back on the scale
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Bryan Battle makes weight for short-notice Dirty Boxing debut 10 days after UFC release
Battle was cut from the UFC after his latest weight miss, but it did not take long for him to find a new home.
He was quickly booked to fight just 10 days later under the banner of Dirty Boxing, a new promotion created by BKFC star Mike Perry and co-owned by all-time UFC great Jon Jones.
Battle’s Dirty Boxing debut opponent was announced as 3-9 pro Derik de Freitas. Before their showdown on August 29, however, the TUF 29 winner had to face an opponent who cost him his UFC career — the scale.
Despite failing to even come close to the middleweight limit for UFC 319 earlier this month, the 30-year-old Missouri native successfully weighed in at 186 pounds on Thursday, drawing some puzzled reactions from MMA fans.
“So hang on. He can make weight then? He must have done stuff wrong before to miss it.”
“Course it was 186, not 185.”
“It’s a miracle.”
“Oh, now you wanna make weight.”
“Third time’s the charm.”
“Maybe should have done this in the UFC.”
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Bryan Battle is one of 11 ex-UFC stars competing at Dirty Boxing 3
When it comes to UFC alums making the walk at Dirty Boxing’s third event in Miami this Friday, Battle is far from alone.
‘The Butcher’ will mark one of 11 ex-UFC fighters competing at DBX 3. Among those set to throw down is six-time UFC headliner Jairzinho Rozenstruik, who will challenge for the heavyweight championship against Rakim Cleveland in the August 29 main event.
Setting the stage for those title stakes will be the likes of Hector Lombard, Jessica-Rose Clark, Phil Hawes, Mike Breeden, Tyson Nam, Alex Caceres, Landon Quiñones, Chase Sherman, and Kalindra Faria.