This morning’s UFC Atlantic City weigh ins did not go according to plan, as two undercard bouts were cancelled, and a one half of the main event, Kevin Lee, missed weight. Lee tipped the scales at 157 pounds, one pound about the 156-pound limit for non-title lightweight fights. “The Motown Phenom” will be fined 20% of his purse for this hiccup, which will go to his foe Edson Barboza.
Shortly after Lee stepped on the scale, he took to Instagram to issue a statement on the ordeal. In this statement, Lee reminded that he’s never missed weight as a pro—even despite a close shave in his last fight. He also gave an explanation for his failed weight cut, saying that he simply ran out of time.
“For the first time ever in my athletic career since high school I’ve missed weight this morning,” Lee said in his Instagram post. “I just ran outta time. I apologize [UFC, Dana White, Edson Barboza]. Tomorrow Imma go put on a show.”
This bout will mark Kevin Lee’s opportunity to rebound from a submission loss to Tony Ferguson, which occurred in an interim lightweight title fight back in October. Prior to this loss, Lee was on a nice, five-fight streak, highlighted by triumphs over top talents like Francisco Trinaldo and Michael Chiesa. Lee’s opponent Barboza, meanwhile, will seek to rebound from a lopsided loss to reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. The winner of this fight figures to emerge as one of the top contenders in the Nurmagomedov-ruled division.
For a full rundown of the UFC Atlantic City weigh-ins, and Kevin Lee’s failed weight cut, click here.
Who are you picking in tomorrow night’s Kevin Lee vs. Edson Barboza main event?
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 4/20/2018.