UFC star Terrance McKinney issues statement after 'inexcusable' weight cut failure hours before UFC 334
UFC fighter Terrance McKinney has issued a statement after failing to make weight ahead of his bout at UFC 334.
McKinney is competing at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday, taking on veteran Jim Miller in a lightweight encounter on the preliminary card.
But on Friday, 'T Wrecks' suffered a weigh-in nightmare and missed weight by 4.2lbs.
UFC star issues statement after weigh-in nightmare
He weighed in at 160.2lbs when the upper weight limit is 155lbs. McKinney stood motionless as he stood on the scales and listened to UFC commentator Jon Anik announce his weigh-in failure.
Fighters are allowed to weigh in one pound over the limit, but McKinney was comfortably over.
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Almost immediately, the 32-year-old issued a statement apologising for missing weight for the first time in his career.
He also stressed that he will no longer compete at lightweight, the only division he has competed in under the UFC banner. He thanked opponent Miller for letting the show go on with the fight.
On X, McKinney wrote: "I want to apologize to everyone and @ufc for missing weight. I’ve never missed weight in my life and I’m sorry but ship has sailed for 155 it’s official my last bout at lightweight "I’m trusting in God will make sure I’m ready for whatever comes at welterweight. I wanna thank @JimMiller_155 personally for still taking the fight he’s a real gangster and also wanna apologies [sic] to him
"For failing to make Jim f****ng miller goated appreciate you for letting dream still be a reality fighting at msg."
UFC rules for fighters who fail to make weight explained
Weight cuts in UFC are extremely brutal and can often involve dangerous practices to make the required weight on the scales.
Should they fail to do so, then fighters are fined a percentage of their purse, thus reducing their earnings from the event.
For McKinney, it is expected he will forfeit 30% of his purse. The New York State Athletic Commission approved the fight to go ahead, as long as Miller agreed to step into the Octagon in a catchweight encounter.
A legend of the sport, the 43-year-old did not need any convincing. The fighter does not have to agree, though, as the UFC can cancel the bout and even bring in a replacement fighter.
Miller will receive 30% of McKinney's UFC 334 pay packet.
In a title fight, a champion who misses weight is stripped of their belt and only the fighter who makes weight is allowed to win the title.
For instance, at UFC 274, Charles Oliveira was half a pound over the championship limit for his main event bout with Justin Gaethje.
He was stripped of the lightweight title he held going into the fight but still went on to defeat Gaethje in round one thanks to a rear-naked choke that secured the submission victory.
Topics: UFC
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