According to multiple reports, the highly-anticipated UFC title fight that was the showcase bout of the sport’s first ever Pay-Per-View in Chicago is now in doubt after one of the fighters was ruled to be overweight.
Yoel Romero, who was set to take on Robert Whittaker in a bout for the UFC Middleweight championship, weighed in at 185.2 pounds for the fight, narrowly missing the 185-pound cut-off for the bout. He had previously weighed in at 186 pounds, but was granted an additional two hours to lose the final pound by the Illinois State Athletic Commission.
According to UFC rules, Romero coming in overweight means the fight between the two can no longer be for the undisputed championship of the division, but the fight could still be held between the two fighters.
When asked at Friday’s Cubs game whether the fight would go on, UFC chief Dana White didn’t elaborate on the organization’s plans.
Romero and Whittaker previously fought at UFC 213 last July, with Whittaker winning the bout to claim the interim championship.
Saturday’s card, which will take place at the United Center and will feature local fighter and former WWE wrestler CM Punk, will be carried on Pay-Per-View.
