The UFC is set to return to action Saturday, but not with the main event advertised. With TJ Dillashaw vs. Cory Sandhagen pushed back, it was the women’s flyweight division getting the nod to headline the UFC Vegas 26 card. That meant promotional darling Michelle Waterson was back in the spotlight, going up against Brazil’s Marina Rodriguez, looking to continue to build her own name in the division. Well, flyweight division in name only — the pair, who normally compete at strawweight, moved up a weight class for a short-notice main event.
Also on the card, another fight not as originally advertised. Donald Cerrone had been expected to face Diego Sanchez, in the Ultimate Fighter winner’s retirement fight. Sanchez was cut from the promotion in the build-up to the fight, after refusing to provide certification that he was not suffering from any short or long-term medical conditions, in particular in regards to his neurological health.
Sanchez later participated in a lengthy interview during which he suggested the UFC might attempt to have him killed, after he spoke out against the promotion.
In place of Sanchez, it’s Alex Morono filling in against Cerrone, who is badly in need of a return to the win column.
UFC Vegas 26: Rodriguez vs. Waterson Weigh-In Results
Main Card
Women’s Flyweight: Marina Rodriguez (125.5) vs. Michelle Waterson (125)
Welterweight: Donald Cerrone (170) vs. Alex Morono (170.5)
Welterweight: Neil Magny (170.5) vs. Geoff Neal (171)
Heavyweight: Marcos Rogério de Lima (264.5) vs. Maurice Greene (237)
Lightweight: Carlos Diego Ferreira (160.5)** vs. Gregor Gillespie (156)
Women’s Strawweight: Amanda Ribas (115.5) vs. Angela Hill (116)
Preliminary Card
Heavyweight: Ben Rothwell (264.5) vs. Philipe Lins ***
Middleweight: Phil Hawes (186) vs. Kyle Daukaus (186)
Featherweight: Ľudovít Klein (146) vs. Michael Trizano (146)
Flyweight: Ryan Benoit (129)* vs. Zarrukh Adashev (125.5)
Middleweight: Jun Yong Park (186) vs. Tafon Nchukwi (186)
Welterweight: Christian Aguilera (170.5) vs. Carlston Harris (170.5)
* Benoit could not weigh in on his first attempt, missed weight by 3lbs on his second. Bout scratched
** Diego Ferreira missed the welterweight limit for his fight with Gregor Gillespie by 4.5lbs
*** Lins fell ill and did not weigh in. Bout cancelled
