In the lead-up to UFC 320, tension has escalated between fighters, primarily spotlighting a significant issue with weight management. This event is headlined by Alex Pereira, who will face Magomed Ankalaev in an anticipated rematch for the UFC light heavyweight title. The animosity between these two fighters intensified following Pereira’s allegations that Ankalaev was avoiding him during training sessions at the UFC Performance Institute.
Weight Controversy at UFC 320
Adding to the drama is a controversial situation involving prominent bantamweight contenders Macy Chiasson and Yana Santos. Chiasson, ranked No. 5, aimed to enhance her championship prospects after securing victories in her last two fights. However, she fell short by 1.5 pounds on the scale, sparking outrage from her opponent, Yana Santos.
Yana Santos’s Outrage
Santos expressed her frustration through social media, highlighting Chiasson’s repeated failure to make weight. This is Chiasson’s second weight miss in the UFC, which Santos called disrespectful to the sport. “Imagine signing a contract and showing up overweight AGAIN,” Santos posted on X. She emphasized the importance of respecting the hard work involved in preparation for fights.
In what escalated the situation further, Santos accused Chiasson of declining an extra hour offered by the commission to make the weight limit. According to Santos, this refusal suggests that Chiasson was seeking an unfair advantage in the fight.
- Yana Santos criticized Chiasson for missing weight twice.
- Santos claimed Chiasson rejected an additional hour to make the weight.
- She labeled the action as “straight-up dirty.”
Calls for Stricter Regulations
The weight controversy caught the attention of former UFC fighter Thiago Santos, Yana’s husband. He publicly chastised Chiasson for her weight miss and called for stronger penalties for fighters who fail to meet weight limits. Thiago noted that this was the fourth opponent of Yana who failed to make weight and cited the need for increased accountability in the sport.
- Thiago Santos voiced his concerns on social media.
- He argued for harsher punishments for weight misses.
As UFC 320 approaches, the focus remains on these weight-related disputes and the implications they might have on both the fighters’ careers and the sport overall. The fallout from these incidents could potentially lead to significant changes in regulations regarding weight management in mixed martial arts.
