The UFC returns to Las Vegas this weekend, for what is expected to be a month-long stint including five events, plus the return of Dana White’s Contender Series. It all kicks off on August 1, with UFC Vegas 5, a Fight Night event exclusive to ESPN+ in the U.S., headlined by Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Derek Brunson in a three-round middleweight affair.
That was not the original plan, of course. The UFC had originally intended for Holly Holm and Irene Aldana to top Saturday’s card. But a positive COVID-19 test forced Aldana out, leaving Brunson vs. Shahbazyan to fill in as a serviceable main event.
Notably, Joanne Calderwood, who most had expected to see fight Valentina Shevchenko for flyweight gold next, is also on the card. She’s stepping in against former Invicta FC champ Jennifer Maia. And, frankly, risking her title shot in doing so.
Check back Friday (starting at 12PM ET) for full weigh-in results.
Friday’s weigh-in was anything but an orderly affair. Fighters were scattered throughout the two hour window with several appearing to have tough cuts. Short notice replacement Charlie Ontiveros was deemed ineligible to compete after taking a fight basically on hours’ notice. Jonathan Martinez, who once fought at flyweight, weighed in 4.5lbs over the bantamweight limit for his fight with Frankie Saenz.
UFC Vegas 5 Weigh-In Results
Main Card (ESPN+)
Middleweight: Derek Brunson (186) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (185.5)
Women’s Flyweight: Joanne Calderwood (126) vs. Jennifer Maia (124.5)
Welterweight: Vicente Luque (170.5) vs. Randy Brown (170.5)
Lightweight: Lando Vannata (155.5) vs. Bobby Green (156)
Middleweight: Kevin Holland (184) vs. Trevin Giles (185)
Preliminary card (ESPN/ESPN+)
Bantamweight: Frankie Saenz (136) vs. Jonathan Martinez (140.5)*
Light Heavyweight: Ed Herman vs. Gerald Meerschaert (204.5)
Bantamweight: Johnny Munoz (145.5) vs. Nathan Maness (144.5)
195lb Catchweight: Charlie Ontiveros** vs. Markus Perez (194.5)
Featherweight: Jamall Emmers (146) vs. Vince Cachero (145)
Bantamweight: Chris Gutiérrez (135.5) vs. Cody Durden (135.5)
*Martinez misses weight by 4.5lbs
**Ontiveros deemed ineligible to compete
