UFC on FOX 12 headliner Matt Brown came in a pound-and-a-half heavy when it was time to hit the scale on Friday night, but in what seems to be an unprecedented set of circumstances, will not be fined for the infraction.
Brown weighed in at 172.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the welterweight limit (171) for non-title matchups. Brown headlines the event against Robbie Lawler.
However, Brown and UFC President Dana White agreed that the California State Athletic Commission told him he would not have a second chance to make weight.
Therefore, “The Immortal” began to rehydrate before the NSAC informed him he would be fined.
After some words were exchanged between White and NSAC officials, it was agreed that Brown would not be fined due to the confusion.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani summed up the situation with this tweet:
Brown enters the title eliminator bout on the strength of a seven-fight win streak (six knockouts), though still lacks a win over a top 10 opponent during that 30-month span.
A win over “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler would certainly provide that for him, as the recent UFC title challenger is 4-1 since returning to welterweight in February 2013.
His sole setback was a razor-thin decision loss to Johny Hendricks at UFC 171 in March. The bout was to decide who would capture the vacant welterweight championship.
Will Brown’s failure to make weight equal a quick, easy win for Lawler or will the perennial underdog feel like he needs a statement win now more than ever?