UFC Cuts Ties With Undefeated Fighter After Huge Weight Miss
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Christopher Ewert missed weight by 10 pounds ahead of UFC 317, costing himself a debut and halting Jackson McVey’s rise.
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June 28, 2025
02:44 PM
Forbes
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InnovationGamingUFC Cuts Ties With Undefeated Fighter After Huge Weight MissByBrian Mazique, Contributor
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights
Brian Mazique has covered combat sports and games since 2011
AuthorJun 28, 2025, 02:44pm EDTLAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 15: UFC CEO Dana White is seen on stage during the UFC 2024 seasonal
More press conference at MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Sometimes you only get one shot
It sounds ary inspired by Eminem’s iconic Lose Yourself, but it’s actually true
Welterweight Christopher Ewert found this out the hard way
Ewert was supposed to step in to face Jackson McVey on the UFC 317 undercard
However, Ewert weighed in 10 pounds over the 170-pound limit
The massive weight miss led to the motion dropping him immediately
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 25: Chris Ewert poses for a portrait during a UFC photo session on June
More 25, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)Zuffa LLC UFC CEO Dana White and his leadership group aren’t going to tolerate things this from a fighter making their motional debut—unless they’ve already built up a name, a reputation, and a rabid fanbase that travels well
That’s not the case with Ewert
He has been impressive during his career
He’s a perfect 7-0, most recently having won back-to-back fights with Fury FC
Still, it’s ly the UFC wasn’t overjoyed with Ewert’s weight miss resulting in yet another fight being pulled from the International Fight Week show
MORE FOR YOU The damage here is twofold
Not only did Ewert lose what could’ve been a life-changing opportunity, but he also disrupted McVey’s momentum
McVey is also an undefeated spect who has ven to be a KO artist
He was originally supposed to face Sedriques Dumas, but the latter was forced to pull out because he was unable to get authorities to remove an ankle monitor in time to participate in fight week activities
Ewert was the replacement fighter
He was pulled from a planned fight on the upcoming season of Dana White’s Contender Series to fight McVey
Fans may be losers in this one too
McVey has star potential
The 6-foot-4 26-year-old has a 100 percent finish rate with knockouts in every fessional fight
UFC fans will have to wait to see him in the Octagon
It’s possible Ewert could still land on DWCS, but the huge weight miss is a bad look for his first UFC event
For what it’s worth, Ewert’s camp says they tried to hard to make the weight, but couldn’t get over the finish line
As it is, here is a look at the UFC 317 card set for T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 28
UFC Fight Card Main Card Ilia Topuria vs
Charles Oira – UFC Lightweight Championship Bout (155 lbs) (c) Alexandre Pantoja vs
Kai Kara-France – UFC Flyweight Championship (125 lbs) Brandon Royval vs
Joshua Van – Flyweight Bout (125 lbs) Beneil Dariush vs
Renato Moicano – Lightweight Bout (155 lbs) Payton Talbott vs
Felipe Lima – Bantamweight Bout (135 lbs) Prelims Jack Hermansson vs
Gregory Rodrigues – Middleweight Bout (185 lbs) Hyder Amil vs
Jose Delgado – Featherweight Bout (145 lbs) Viviane Araujo vs
Tracy Cortez – Flyweight Bout (125 lbs) Terrance McKinney vs
Viacheslav Borshchev – Lightweight Bout (155 lbs) Niko Price vs
Jacobe Smith – Welterweight Bout (170 lbs) Jhonata Diniz vs
Alvin Hines – Heavyweight Bout (265 lbs) Be on the lookout for post-event coverage as Topuria and Oira have an opportunity to add another layer to their Hall-of-Fame resumes
It’s a top-heavy show, but we’re for it
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