UFC London Fight Scrapped: Luana Carolina’s Weight Struggles Continue
A highly anticipated bout between Melissa Mullins and Luana Carolina at UFC London was abruptly cancelled Friday after Carolina missed weight by a significant eight pounds. The incident highlights a recurring issue for Carolina and raises questions about fighter weight management and the potential consequences for athletes and the promotion.
A Pattern of Weight Misses
This isn’t a new problem for Carolina. She has now missed weight three times, with previous issues occurring in the 125-pound division, missing by 2.5 and 3 pounds respectively. A flyweight fight scheduled for March 2025 against Montana De La Rosa was also cancelled when Carolina failed to appear for weigh-ins. Reports from De La Rosa’s team indicated Carolina struggled to get within five pounds of the 126-pound limit.
Mullins Makes Weight, Fight Still Off
Adding to the drama, Melissa Mullins successfully made weight at 136 pounds, having previously struggled with weight cuts herself. Despite Mullins’ successful weigh-in, the fight was officially cancelled due to regulatory reasons, leaving Mullins without an opponent and Carolina’s future with the UFC uncertain.
The Ripple Effect: Impact on Fighters and the UFC
Weight misses create a cascade of problems. Fighters who make weight are left without opponents, potentially impacting their earnings and momentum. The UFC faces logistical challenges in rescheduling fights and maintaining the integrity of its events. Repeated weight misses by a fighter can lead to release from the promotion, as seen with other athletes in the past.
Successful Weigh-Ins for Main Event Fighters
Despite the Carolina-Mullins cancellation, the main event fighters successfully made weight. Movsar Evloev tipped the scales at 146 pounds, while Lerone Murphy hit 145 pounds for their non-title featherweight contest. Luke Riley (146) and Michael Aswell (145) also made weight for their co-main event bout.
UFC London Weigh-In Results
- Main Card (Paramount+ at 4 p.m. ET)
- Movsar Evloev (146) vs. Lerone Murphy (145)
- Luke Riley (146) vs. Michael Aswell (145)
- Michael Page (171) vs. Sam Patterson (170)
- Iwo Baraniewski (206) vs. Austen Lane (205)
- Roman Dolidze (186) vs. Christian Leroy Duncan (186)
- Danny Silva (145) vs. Kurtis Campbell (145)
- Preliminary Card (Paramount+ at 1 p.m. ET)
- Mason Jones (156) vs. Axel Sola (156)
- Nathaniel Wood (146) vs. Losene Keita (146)
- Mario Pinto (257) vs. Felipe Franco (227)
- Mantas Kondratavicius (185) vs. Antonio Trocoli (185)
- Louie Sutherland (264) vs. Brando Pericic (264)
- Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady (156) vs. Shem Rock (156)
- Shanelle Dyer (116) vs. Ravena Oliveira (116.5)*
- Luana Carolina (144)** vs. Melissa Mullins (136) — CANCELLED
FAQ: Weight Cutting and UFC Regulations
- What happens when a fighter misses weight? The fight is typically cancelled and the fighter who misses weight often faces a financial penalty.
- Is there a weight allowance? For non-title fights, there is typically a one-pound allowance.
- What are the potential consequences for a fighter who repeatedly misses weight? Repeated weight misses can lead to fines, fight cancellations, and release from the UFC.
Pro Tip: Fighters often employ strategies like dehydration and careful diet management to make weight. However, extreme weight cuts can be dangerous and detrimental to performance.
What do you think should happen to fighters who repeatedly miss weight? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
