UFC 223 fight card keeps getting worst after McGregor’s melee, this morning featherweight champion Max Holloway was pulled out of main event title fight against Kahbib Nurmagomedov as he was deemed unfit to fight by the New York State Athletic Commission.
UFC began a desperate hunt to find a replacement opponent for Khabib Nurmagomedov however it was reported UFC seeks to book former champion Anthony Pettis against Nurmagomedov but this morning Pettis weighed in at 155.2lbs, came 0.2lbs over championship weight limit. According to NYSAC rules, Pettis was given 2 hours to make 155 on the dot.
As per reports, Pettis was demanding raise in pay for a championship fight, which UFC wasn’t agreed on and in the midst of that NYSAC pulled the scale and left the weigh-ins stage. Pettis won’t be fighting Nurmagomedov at UFC 223 main event.
A UFC official said Pettis isn’t re-weighing after all. That’s why they took the scale. Then a PR member said to standby. I’m told at this time there isn’t a deal in place for Pettis to step in.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 6, 2018
I'm hearing that @Showtimepettis asked for a bigger payday, #UFC countered with less. Pettis declined, @felderpaul gets the spot. Standing by for more info from my girl @vevyrodrigues in NYC… #UFC223
— Karyn Bryant (@KarynBryant) April 6, 2018
I’ve hearing a rumour that the commission have told Pettis he’s not fit to go five rounds. Not sure we will see Khabib fight. Only other option is Al as they won’t consider Felder as he’s not ranked. Let’s see if they confirm this, still waiting. #UFC223
— Niall McGrath (@niallmcgrath4) April 6, 2018
Next rumored opponent was UFC lightweight Paul Felder, who is slated to take on Al Iaquinta, was in line to take on Khabib, but the NYSAC declined due to the difference in their rankings.
Felder is not fighting Khabib because the commission says he needs to be ranked higher? And to think we tried to get #MMA legalized in NYC for so long. That commission is wreaking havoc on my heart! #UFC223
— Karyn Bryant (@KarynBryant) April 6, 2018
Can confirm Paul Felder will not get the Nurmagomedov fight because the NYSAC says he's "not ranked." https://t.co/xNEvTWNvFF
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) April 6, 2018
Felder has since said that the commission prevented him from taking the main event fight with Khabib.
I tried to get it. Commission is stopping it
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) April 6, 2018
No further word on which rankings they were referencing—meant that he wasn’t eligible to fight the undefeated Dagestani star.
Stay tuned for more on this!
