Losene Keita’s scheduled featherweight bout towards Patricio Pitbull at UFC Struggle Evening: Imavov vs. Borralho in Paris has been formally cancelled attributable to Keita lacking the contracted weight restrict. This improvement was introduced after Friday morning’s early weigh-ins on the Accor Enviornment, the place Keita, a two-division OKTAGON champion and one of many UFC’s most anticipated newcomers, registered at 149 kilos – three kilos above the non-title featherweight threshold.
Losene Keita Weigh-In Particulars
Keita’s weight administration issues grew to become obvious in the course of the morning weigh-in session forward of the September 6 card. UFC and occasion officers moved rapidly, saying the bout’s cancellation roughly thirty minutes after Keita stepped on the dimensions. Fighters are usually given an extra interval to aim making weight; nonetheless, the deficit on this case was deemed insurmountable, and the scheduled contest was faraway from the lineup.
Patricio Pitbull, a former Bellator featherweight champion, was reported to have made the contracted restrict, although neither fighter has issued public statements relating to the result.
Event Impact
This cancellation represents a significant shift in the UFC Paris card, which had featured the Pitbull-Keita matchup as a standout attraction. Losene Keita, whose aggressive strategy and worldwide championship pedigree prompted excessive expectations for his debut, is not going to compete as deliberate.
Pitbull, a revered veteran with a adorned historical past in main promotions, loses a possibility to additional cement his presence within the UFC featherweight division. The group and followers had expressed appreciable curiosity in seeing how Keita’s abilities would translate on this stage.
The featherweight cancellation also comes amid other late changes to the event. Lightweight Fares Ziam was removed from his bout against Kaue Fernandes, with Cage Warriors featherweight champion Harry Hardwick stepping in for his UFC debut.
Main and Co-Main Events
Despite the disruption, UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs. Borralho is set to proceed with its scheduled bouts. The main event features Nassourdine Imavov versus unbeaten Caio Borralho in a contest with title implications for the middleweight division. The co-main event includes lightweights Benoit Saint Denis and Mauricio Ruffy. Additional matches feature notable names such as Modestas Bukauskas, Paul Craig, Bolaji Oki, Mason Jones, Axel Sola, and Rhys McKee, maintaining a competitive lineup for the Paris audience.
As of Friday, Losene Keita’s current plans remain uncertain following the missed weight and fight cancellation. UFC officials have not indicated whether the bout will be rescheduled or if Keita will be required to compete in a different weight class moving forward. Pitbull, approaching the later stages of his career, may seek other opportunities within the division.
