UFC 317 fighter cut for being 10 pounds over weight, bout cancelled

Christopher Ewert’s time with the UFC was over in less than a week.

The undefeated middleweight was signed on only a few days’ notice as a replacement for Sedriques Dumas to fight Jackson McVey in the opening preliminary bout of UFC 317 on Saturday in Las Vegas. However, at the start of Friday’s weigh-ins, it was announced Ewert vs. McVey was canceled due to weight cut issues on Ewert’s side.

On the UFC’s official weigh-in show, it was announced Ewert was 10 pounds over the limit. He has subsequently been cut from the promotion.

McVey showed up at the UFC 317 official weigh-ins anyway, coming in at 185 pounds. It was also announced officials are looking to book a new fight for McVey as soon as possible.

Saturday’s event at T-Mobile Arena proceeds with 11 fights. In the main event, former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria fights Charles Oliveira for a vacant lightweight title. Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight title for the fourth time when he takes on Kai Kara-France in the co-main event.