Virginia Beach, VA — The early and official weigh-ins for UFC Norfolk, unfolding in nearby Virginia Beach, were an orderly affair right up until they weren’t. One by one, fighters hit the scales, and fighters made weight, starting with Joseph Benavidez and Megan Anderson.
In fact, it wasn’t until the final two fighters that the event hit a speed bump — and then a wall. Early word was, main event flyweight Deiveson Figueiredo was struggling with his cut. But it was Grant Dawson hitting the scales second-to-last that saw the first miss. He clocked in at 3.5lbs over the featherweight non-title limit. While Virginia allows an additional hour (from the initial attempt) to cut weight, Dawson did not attempt to weigh-in again.
That was a speed bump. The state’s athletic commission, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (operating under the Commonwealth of Virginia Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, and Professional Wrestling Advisory Board’s regulations) allow up to a 5lb differential between fighters at featherweight. Meaning as long as Dawson’s opponent Darrick Minner accepted the fight, it was a go.
Interestingly enough, Minner had taken the fight short notice, but did make weight. Ultimately, that fight moves forward, with Dawson giving up 30% of his purse.
The wall, however, came when Figueiredo also missed weight, by 2.5lbs. While given an extra hour to make weight, the Brazilian did not attempt to weigh in again. Instead, he gave up 30% of his purse. The fight moves forward, but only Joseph Benavidez is eligible to win the title.
Check below for a gallery of photos highlights, plus video of this morning’s weigh-in! Full weigh-in results can be found right over here.
