UFC 317 is facing a last-minute disruption after the firing of a fighter just prior to his promotional debut. Initially, everything seemed to be on track with both Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira successfully weighing in for their highly-anticipated matchup.
The planned opening fight of the event was set to feature undefeated fighters Christopher Ewert and Jackson McVey. However, a late legal issue forced a change, and Ewert stepped in to replace Sedriques Dumas. While McVey made weight at 185 pounds, Ewert’s situation took a turn when he did not weigh in at all. It was reported that Ewert missed the weight by a significant margin, coming in at 10 pounds overweight. Consequently, UFC commentator Jon Anik announced that Ewert had been released from the UFC roster.
As a result, the fight card sees the loss of an anticipated matchup, impacting the overall lineup for the event. The UFC 317 card still features several notable bouts, including the main event for the vacant lightweight title between Topuria and Oliveira.
In the larger context of the UFC, maintaining fighter discipline and adherence to weight categories is paramount, and this incident underscores the challenges fighters face as they prepare for competition. While cancellations are disappointing for fans, they also emphasize the importance of health and readiness in the sport.
This setback, though unfortunate, presents an opportunity for other fighters on the card to shine and make a name for themselves in front of the UFC audience.