Stephen Thompson’s UFC 291 fight against Michel Pereira was cancelled due to Pereira’s weight issue. Thompson expresses his disappointment and emphasizes his pursuit of the UFC Welterweight Title.
Stephen Thompson’s UFC 291 Fight Cancelled
Stephen Thompson was left disappointed when his opponent, Michel Pereira, failed to make weight for their main card clash. Thompson, known as ‘Wonderboy,’ expressed his frustration on social media, explaining why he refused to proceed with the fight. He emphasized that he has always made weight throughout his UFC career and that his opponent’s failure to do so was not acceptable. Thompson stated that he is not willing to be a gatekeeper at this stage of his career and is focused on winning the UFC Welterweight Title. He also called for stricter consequences for fighters who repeatedly miss weight. Thompson remains determined to get back in the Octagon and continue his pursuit of the title.
Thompson’s fight against Pereira was scheduled to take place at UFC 291. However, during the weigh-ins, it was revealed that Pereira weighed in three pounds over the welterweight non-title fight limit of 171 pounds. This led to the bout being officially scrapped, much to the disappointment of fans and Thompson himself.
In a statement on social media, Thompson expressed his apologies to the fans who were looking forward to the fight. He also expressed his disappointment for his coaches, family, and everyone who supported him during his training camp. Thompson emphasized that he had made weight as he always does, but his opponent did not. Given his previous experience with opponents missing weight, Thompson and his team decided that it would not be wise to proceed with the fight.
Thompson, who has been competing in the UFC for over 11 years, stated that he is not interested in being a gatekeeper and is focused on winning the UFC Welterweight Title. He emphasized that when he steps into the Octagon, it is a serious competition where both fighters put their health and careers on the line. Thompson mentioned his previous fight against Darren Till, where he lost by split decision, and highlighted the risks of leaving the fight in the hands of the judges.
Despite the disappointment of the cancelled fight, Thompson remains determined to return to the Octagon as soon as possible. He emphasized the importance of a level playing field and his pursuit of the UFC Welterweight Title. Thompson has been relatively inactive in recent years, with only one fight in 2018, 2020, and 2022. However, he aims to compete at least once before the end of 2023.
Thompson also voiced his concerns about fighters repeatedly missing weight with little consequence. He believes that stricter measures should be in place to discourage fighters from doing so. Thompson hopes that his decision not to proceed with the fight will serve as a deterrent for others and encourage fighters in similar situations to take a stand.
Fight Summary
| Fight | Result |
|---|---|
| Stephen Thompson vs. Michel Pereira | Cancelled (Pereira missed weight) |
Key Points
- Stephen Thompson’s opponent, Michel Pereira, failed to make weight for their UFC 291 fight.
- Thompson expressed his disappointment and explained why he refused to proceed with the bout.
- He emphasized his commitment to winning the UFC Welterweight Title and not being a gatekeeper.
- Thompson called for stricter consequences for fighters who repeatedly miss weight.
- Despite the cancelled fight, Thompson remains determined to return to the Octagon.
