During Friday’s early UFC Paris weigh ins (results HERE), Keita officially tipped the scales three pounds over the 146-pound featherweight limit and instantly put his main card bout against Patricio Pitbull in danger. In most cases, UFC matchmakers are able to work around weight misses, free up some extra purse money for the fighter who hit weight, and keep the fight scheduled as planned.
Unfortunately, Pitbull wanted nothing to do with a heavy Keita. The former Bellator MMA champion is just 1-1 inside of the Octagon and was already coming into this weekend as a sizeable betting underdog. Instead of trying to work of a solution to stay on Saturday’s card, Pitbull took to social media to absolutely destroy “Fat Panther.”
Later Friday, Keita took to X to explain why he missed weight and apologize for the incident. He also went on to reveal that he offered up his entire fight purse to stay on Saturday’s card, but he believes Pitbull wanted a way out of the fight.
Check it out below and let us know your thoughts!
“For the first time in 25 fights, I failed to make weight, and it had to happen on my UFC debut… I wanted to continue and would have given everything to make weight, but my body didn’t want it. I sincerely apologize to all my fans. I will be back, like every time I fall in life.”
“I know I messed up and I take full responsibility. I begged you, apologized many times, even offered you my purse — all just to make the fight happen. But it seemed you were happier for the fight not to happen than to give me a chance to make it right.”
For the updated UFC Paris fight card and lineup click here.
