Emotional Weigh-In Drama Threatens UFC London Bout
British UFC fighter Melissa Mullins was overcome with emotion during Friday's official weigh-in for UFC London, as her scheduled opponent Luana Carolina dramatically failed to make weight for their bantamweight contest. The pair were due to meet in the opening bout of Saturday's event at London's O2 Arena, but the fight now appears almost certain to be cancelled following Carolina's significant weight miss.
Weight Discrepancy Sparks Cancellation Fears
Mullins, born in Oxford but training out of Coventry, successfully made the 136lb bantamweight limit during Friday morning's proceedings. However, the 34-year-old fighter was visibly distressed and in tears as she stepped off the scales. The source of her emotional reaction became apparent moments later when Brazilian opponent Carolina weighed in at 144lb - a full 8lb over the permitted limit for their scheduled bout.
Carolina, 32, weighed in behind a curtain in minimal clothing, a common practice among fighters struggling to meet weight requirements. UFC commentator John Gooden announced Carolina's weight and confirmed she would not be attempting any further weight cuts. This marks the second consecutive year Carolina has caused a fight cancellation due to weight issues, having previously missed weight for a planned flyweight bout against Montana De La Rosa.
Mullins' UFC Journey Faces Another Setback
The likely cancellation represents another setback for Mullins, who was preparing for her fifth UFC appearance. Her promotional record currently stands at 2-2, alternating between wins and losses since her 2023 debut. Her most recent outing in June resulted in a decision defeat against Darya Zheleznyakova, bringing her overall mixed martial arts record to 7-2.
Despite the disappointment surrounding Mullins' bout, the UFC London card remains packed with British talent. Manchester's Lerone Murphy will headline against Russian opponent Movsar Evloev in what many consider a featherweight title eliminator, though Murphy confirmed he has received no official assurances from the UFC regarding title implications.
Other Bouts Proceed as Planned
Both Murphy and Evloev successfully made weight on Friday, with Murphy registering 145lb and his opponent coming in at 146lb. In the co-main event, Liverpool's Luke Riley - a training partner of UFC star Paddy Pimblett - will face American featherweight Michael Aswell Jr, with both fighters also making weight without incident.
The UFC London event continues to generate significant interest despite the likely cancellation of the opening bout, showcasing the depth of British mixed martial arts talent currently competing at the highest level of the sport.
