UFC fight changes and cancellations in 2016
The peak of mixed martial arts currently faces a number of significant challenges including PEDs, the culture of extreme weight-cutting,…
The peak of mixed martial arts currently faces a number of significant challenges including PEDs, the culture of extreme weight-cutting, a coming fight over fighter’s share of income, and an extremely high number of fight cancellations.
Wesley Riddle has done the most comprehensive study to date of cancellation, for the Jeremy Brand-founded MMASucka. Riddle’s list does not include fights discussed/linked to an event but never made official, or fights removed due to the cancellation of an entire fight card (UFN 97). In all, 151 officially planned fights were changed or canceled last year.
The total number of fight changes and cancellations from each categoryranked from most to least:
Injury = 92
Doping Violation = 13
Personal Issue = 8
Illness = 6
Visa Issue = 6
Opponent Rescheduling to fight someone else = 6
Fight Rescheduling for a different event = 6
Medical Issue = 5
Staph Infection = 3
Contract Dispute = 2
Fighter Missing Weight = 2
Opponent Retirement = 1
Passing of an Opponent = 1
Dennis Bermudez, Stefan Struve, and Gian Villante were the only three fighters to have a fight changed/canceled due to a staph infection. Al Iaquinta and Conor McGregor were the only two fighters to have a fight changed/canceled due to a contract dispute. Justin Scoggins and Kelvin Gastelum were the only two fighters to have a fight changed/canceled due to missing weight. Paddy Holohan was the only fighter to have a fight changed/canceled due to his retirement from mixed martial arts. Josh Samman was the only fighter to have a fight changed/canceled due to his passing on October 5th.
Out of the 92 injuries that resulted in a fight change or cancellation in 216: Erik Koch, Joaquim Silva, Daniel Cormier, and Evan Dunham were the only fighters to pull out of a fight more than once due to an injury.
PPV vs. FOX vs. UFN
Nine of 13 UFC pay-per-view events suffered five or more card changes/cancellations (69%). Total changes/cancellations: 59.
Four of 22 UFC Fight Night events suffered five or more card changes/cancellations (18.2%). Total changes/cancellations: 73.
One of seven UFC on Fox and TUF Finale events suffered five or more card changes/cancellations (14%). Total changes/cancellations: 19.
By weight class
Lightweight (155 lbs.) = 35
Welterweight (170 lbs.) = 31
Middleweight (185 lbs.) = 20
Bantamweight (135 lbs.) = 14
Featherweight (145 lbs.) = 13
Flyweight (125 lbs.) = 11
Light Heavyweight (205 lbs.) = 10
Heavyweight (265 lbs.) = 7
Strawweight (115 lbs.) = 7
Woman’s Bantamweight (135 lbs.) = 3
