Stephen Thompson and the Brazilian fighter Michel Pereira were all set to exchange bouts on July 29, but “Wonderboy” refused the fight because Pereira turned out to be overweight. According to a report, Thompson will not be paid any money for the weigh-in for UFC 291.
Thompson turned down the fight
The two veterans were scheduled to face off in a three-round welterweight scrap, but unfortunately “Demolidore” came in overweight and missed the 171-pound weight limit by just three pounds. Thompson still had the choice of fighting with Pereira and receiving some advantage, but the fight eventually fizzled out as Thompson decided not to go ahead with the matchup.
Same case happened few years ago
UFC 291 was not the first instance when Stephen Thompson’s opponent failed to make the weight limit. ‘Wonderboy’ was scheduled to face Darren Till in a five-round main event in May 2018. Till missed weight by 3.5 pounds, but the fight went ahead, and ‘The Gorilla’ won by decision. After news broke of the fight’s cancellation, Thompson released a statement on social media where he shared that the learnings from the fight played a part in him turning down the UFC 291 bout.
This is not the first time that Thompson’s opponent has not been able to make the weight limit. In 2018, Stephen Thompson was scheduled to face Darren Till in a five-round main event, but Till missed the weight by 3.5 pounds. The fight still took place, and Darren won by decision. After the news of Wonderboy and Demolidore’s fight cancellation broke out, Thomson released a statement on social media and shared that the learnings from the Till fight played a part in him turning down the UFC 291 match.
Thompson’s statement
Wonder Boy stated that he made weight this morning, as he had done before every fight during his 11+ year UFC career, but his opponent didn’t. Shading light on the fact that this is not the first time, Thompson further wrote that he and his team decided it was not wise for them to go for the fight. He also mentioned that he is not here to be a gatekeeper but to fight and win the UFC welterweight title.
Also Read:- How to prepare for MMA : Training tips for beginners
