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Johny Hendricks makes weight on second attempt, title fight official for UFC 171
UPDATE: Johny Hendricks went back to the scales and was able to make the 170-pound limit on his second attempt, meaning his title fight against Lawler is now official for Saturday night. Both fighters hit the mark for the welterweight limit, and the championship is officially on the line.
Following the weigh-ins, Hendricks' nutritionist Mike Dolce responded to FOX Sports Mike Chiappetta about the cut saying they didn't expect him to miss the limit the first time, and a scale malfunction at their hotel may have been the culprit.
"We did light a workout and the weight fell off easily," Dolce said via text message. "Johny's scale might have gotten damaged at the hotel gym earlier today."
UFC president Dana White told Sportsnet afterward that he was "in shock" and it had to have been the scale, because Hendricks "always makes weight." White said the question now is if having to drop the extra pounds late will effect Hendricks in the fight.
Kelvin Gastelum also cut the additional weight and made 171 pounds for his fight while Renee Forte opted not to make another attempt and he will be fined 20-percent of his fight purse, but the bout will move forward for the preliminary card.
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Johny Hendricks stepped onto the scales in Dallas on Friday with the expectations of making weight and then staring down opponent Robbie Lawler just over 24 hours away from his second shot at the UFC welterweight title.
Unfortunately, Hendricks left with a look of shock after he weighed in at 171.5 pounds, which was a full pound and a half over the weight limit for his title fight in the welterweight division.
Hendricks' nutritionist Mike Dolce appeared to carry a similar look of disappointment after the Texas based fighter stepped on the scale and didn't make weight.
Because the main event at UFC 171 is a title fight, the participants must come in exactly on weight or under the limit, in this case 170-pounds.
"Yeah it was (a surprise), I thought we made it," Hendricks said. "We'll see what happens in an hour."
Hendricks actually has two hours to cut the additional weight to make his title fight against Lawler official. For his part, Lawler weighed in at 170 pounds while still wearing his fight shorts.
If Hendricks can't cut the additional weight, the fight can still technically move forward but he would no longer be eligible to win the title. According to UFC president Dana White after the weigh-ins, the Texas Commission agreed that they would still allow the title fight to move forward even if Hendricks misses weight.
Lawler would still get the belt if he wins, but if Hendricks comes away victorious the title would still be vacant.
In addition to Hendricks' missing weight on Friday, two other fighters struggled to come in under weight as well. Ultimate Fighter winner Kelvin Gastelum also came in over at 172.5, which means he has to drop an additional pound and a half as well to make the 171-pound limit while Renee Forte weighed in at 157, meaning he has to drop one more pound to hit the 156-pound mark for a lightweight bout.
The fighters will all have two hours to cut the additional weight or face possible fines and the threat of the fight not moving forward although that's very unlikely to happen. The main concern remains Hendricks making weight or his shot at the title goes by the wayside.
