Macy Chiasson overcame a significant obstacle this week by making weight for her upcoming fight against Ailin Perez on February 28 in Mexico City. This achievement plays a crucial role in preserving their scheduled bout, particularly amid growing concerns about fighters missing weight in the UFC.
Joe Rogan recently highlighted the UFC’s efforts to address the dangers of extreme weight cutting, which has been a persistent issue in the sport. The weigh-in results were critical to ensure this particular fight could proceed without complication.
Ailin Perez’s Stance on Macy Chiasson’s Weight Status
Prior to the weigh-ins, Ailin Perez openly expressed doubts about Macy Chiasson’s ability to make the bantamweight limit. Perez told Hablemos MMA that she would refuse to face Chiasson if she missed weight on Friday, indicating the severity of her concerns.
Her wariness was partly influenced by Yana Santos’s previous comments, who suggested Chiasson sought an unfair advantage during their own fight after missing weight last October. Perez also shared her personal observations of Chiasson’s size while training together at the UFC Performance Institute.
“I’ve been preparing for the last three months to first make the weight, and also to fight. So I’m not taking any excuses. She had a lot of time. I see her every day at the UFC PI, and I see she’s very big. I feel like she might not make weight.”
?Ailin Perez, UFC Fighter
Despite these doubts, Chiasson managed to make weight, coming in one pound lighter than Perez at 135 pounds. This confirms both fighters are ready to compete in what will be their first encounter between two top-10 bantamweight contenders.
Broader Weigh-In Results for UFC Mexico City Confirm No Issues
The weigh-ins for UFC Mexico City went smoothly overall, with all 13 fights officially confirmed after no competitors missed weight. The event will feature a range of matchups across weight divisions, ensuring the card remains intact for fans.
- Featherweight: Brandon Moreno (125.5) vs. Lone’er Kavanagh (125)
- Bantamweight: Marlon Vera (136) vs. David Martinez (135)
- Lightweight: Daniel Zellhuber (155) vs. King Green (155)
- Flyweight: Edgar Chairez (125) vs. Felipe Bunes (125)
- Flyweight: Imanol Rodriguez (125) vs. Kevin Borjas (126)
- Bantamweight: Santiago Luna (136) vs. Angel Pacheco (135)
- Middleweight: Ryan Gandra (185) vs. Jose Daniel Medina (186)
- Women’s Bantamweight: Ailin Perez (136) vs. Macy Chiasson (135)
- Bantamweight: Cristian Quinonez (136) vs. Kris Moutinho (136)
- Featherweight: Douglas Silva de Andrade (146) vs. Javier Reyes (145)
- Women’s 130-pound Catchweight: Regina Tarin (130) vs. Ernesta Kareckaite (129.5)
- Featherweight: Erik Silva (146) vs. Francis Marshall (145)
- Middleweight: Damian Pinas (186) vs. Wesley Schultz (186)
Weight Cutting Concerns Continue to Shape UFC Discussions
The issue of weight cutting remains prominent in MMA, highlighted recently by the collapse of Cameron Smotherman after making weight for UFC 324. Joe Rogan has noted the UFC’s determination to find solutions that protect fighters from the health risks of drastic weight cuts while maintaining the integrity of matchups.
Implications of Macy Chiasson’s Weight Success for UFC Mexico City
By successfully hitting her weight target, Macy Chiasson not only safeguarded her fight against Ailin Perez but also underscored the discipline required at the highest level of competition. With no weighing issues across the entire fight card, UFC Mexico City stands prepared for a complete lineup, promising a night of decisive bouts featuring fighters like Brandon Moreno, Marlon Vera, and Ryan Gandra.
This development holds importance for the bantamweight division and fans tracking Macy Chiasson’s return, as it sets the stage for a competitive meeting against Ailin Perez and demonstrates the UFC’s ongoing efforts to manage weight-related challenges within the sport.
