The scheduled middleweight matchup between Christopher Ewert and Jackson McVey, intended to kick off UFC 317, has been abruptly canceled. Ewert, who accepted the fight on short notice, was unable to meet the required weight, leading to the bout being scrapped just before the official weigh-ins in Las Vegas.
Jon Anik, the emcee for the weigh-ins, delivered the unfortunate news, additionally revealing that Ewert has been released from the UFC – a rare move when dealing with fight cancellations. Typically, announcements regarding a fighter’s release are not made alongside the news of a canceled fight.
Ewert, a fighter from Chile with an impressive record of 7-0, had been on the UFC’s radar for some time. He was previously slated to compete in Dana White’s Contender Series against Yuri Panferov in August but stepped in for UFC 317 at the last minute after Dumas withdrew due to a court-ordered GPS ankle monitor.
This situation raises questions about Ewert’s future in the UFC, especially as he may have lost the opportunity to make an appearance on the Contender Series. On the other hand, McVey, boasting a record of 6-0 and training under Mike Rogers at St. Charles MMA in Missouri, was set to make his debut with the promotion. He has a track record of finishing fights in the first round.
While the cancellation is unfortunate for both fighters, opportunities will surely arise again in the competitive landscape of MMA. Both Ewert and McVey have shown promise in their careers, and they can use this experience as a stepping stone for future success.