Daley out of Bellator 163 over weight cutting concerns

Bellator 163 has unfortunately lost another exciting fight to weight cutting issues. Talita ‘Treta’ Nogueira showed up 20 pounds over weight, reportedly quit when she had 5.6 pounds to go, and never officially weighed in. Her fight with WMMA pioneer Marloes Coenen was canceled.

Now Ariel Helwani reports for MMA Fighting that Paul Daley has been removed from the card over weight concerns, canceling the fight vs. Derek Anderson.

Daley, who has a history of weight-cutting issues, made the contract 171 pounds Thursday night, but for reasons of safety, was not allowed to fight.

“After a difficult weight cut, we, along with Mike Mazzulli from the Mohegan Athletic Commission, made the decision to pull Paul Daley from tonight’s event as a precautionary measure,” explained Bellator president Scott Coker in a statement to Helwani. “Fighter safety is of the utmost importance to us here at Bellator.”

The fighter too commented, via his social network.

“From the horses mouth” the TRUTH………Bad news, I won’t be fighting tonight on Bellator 163. Although I OFFICIALLY MADE weight, Thursday at 171lbs, during rehydration we encountered a few issues. However this morning we felt 100% and ready to fight, Having heard about the situation, the commission made an executive decision to withdraw my fight from the card, we tried to lobby against it to no success.
Apologise to all my fans and supporters. I will be back fighting on a HUGE card in January.
FOAMS
PD

Neiman Gracie vs. Rudy Bears was elevated to the four-fight main card broadcast on Spike.

Like Coenen, Anderson will be paid his show money.

Bellator 163, headlined by light heavyweight Liam McGeary vs. Phil Davis, takes place Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.