Over 2,000 fans attended the free weigh-ins Friday for UFC 87: Seek And Destroy, in preparation for Saturday night’s bouts.
As Jason (The Athlete) MacDonald says on Connected Friday night, the experience of cutting weight for a professional MMA bout can be a grueling experience. But every fighter on the card did so successfully.
None of them showed any sign of fatigue or struggled to undress or make their way to the scale. It may sound funny, but I cannot tell you how many fighters I’ve seen have a painful time just taking off their clothes; it generally foreshadows a short night as these fighters have completely depleted whatever cardio reserve they built during their training camps.
MacDonald heard some of the loudest cheers at the weigh-in, triggering the Red Deer, Alta., native to smile from ear to ear. The Athlete stepped onto the scale and used the momentum to rile the crowd up as his opponent Demian Maia looked on.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan had the crowd in stitches when he referred to the match-up between Luke Cummo and Tamdan McCrory as “The Battle Of The Nerds.”
Even Cummo smiled at Rogan after his staredown with McCrory.
Roger Huerta also got one of the loudest ovations from the “hometown” crowd — he’s from L.A. but fights out of Minneapolis — as he made his way through the curtain and to the stage. Huerta will be taking on Kenny Florian in what I have pegged as “Fight of the Year” after speaking with both of these gentlemen at UFC 84 in Vegas.
Both fighters made weight with ease and during the staredown, you could sense the media and crowd surrounding me were in agreement that on Saturday night, this lightweight fight will be one for the ages.
Minnesota native Brock Lesnar was treated to a resounding ovation as he made his way up the stairs onto the stage and began to bounce around, reminiscent of his days in the WWE.
Lesnar stepped onto the scale and weighed in at a whopping 265 pounds, the heavyweight limit. He tilted his head, gave a smirk to the crowd and launched into a bicep pose showcasing the massive muscular girth he has, awaiting Rogan’s announcement of his official weight.
Lesnar will be taking on Heath (The Texas Crazyhorse) Herring, who was treated to a mix of cheers and boos by the Minneapolis faithful. Herring, an experienced heavyweight who may prove to be too much for Lesnar, smiled as the mixed emotions from the crowd rained down from the rafters while he stepped onto the scale.
Herring made weight and walked to his left to assume the staredown position with Lesnar. The crowd cheered as both heavyweights stood in front of UFC president Dana White, raised their arms and triggered a multitude of camera flashes from the crowd. Herring was all smiles as Lesnar shook his head, as if to warn Herring that he has no chance in this bout.
When Jon Fitch, one half of the main event, sprinted up the stairs to the scale, he received a loud cheer.
“I feel better than ever,” said Fitch. “This has been my best training camp and I’ve made lots of strides in my game. All that matters is the belt.”
The belt Fitch is referring to is the one worn by Canadian Georges St. Pierre, who received the loudest cheer during the weigh-in. Camera flashes did not stop while GSP was on the stage and when he stepped off the scale to meet Fitch for the staredown, he was all business.
Fitch looked into GSP’s eyes and showcased a facial expression which was half a smile and half a smirk. GSP showed no reaction, eerily similar to his demeanor during his third fight with Matt Hughes.
There is a reason for his serious demeanour. “I’m fighting the toughest guy ever in my career. I don’t fight for fame, I fight for myself and the fans,” he said, prompting another pop from the crowd.
“This has been my best training camp ever, so I’m looking forward to the fight.”
We are about 24 hours away from UFC 87 and while I believe GSP, Herring and MacDonald will be victorious, I am torn between Florian and Huerta.
Florian is a finisher while Huerta cannot be finished. On Saturday night, something’s gotta give.
UFC 87 Official Fighter Weights:
Ryan Thomas - 170
Ben Saunders - 170
Chris “The Professor” Wilson - 170
Steve “Hollywood” Bruno - 170
Jon Bones Jones - 205
Andre Gusmao - 205
Dan Evensen - 244
Cheik Kongo - 235
Luke “The Silent Assassin” Cummo - 167
Tamdan Barncat McCrory - 170
Rob Emerson - 155
Manvel Gamburyan - 155
Demian Maia - 185
Jason “The Athlete” MacDonald - 185
Roger “El Matador” Huerta - 155
Kenny “KenFlo” Florian - 155
Heath “The Texas Crazyhorse” Herring - 250
Brock Lesnar - 265
Jon Fitch - 170
Georges “Rush” St. Pierre - 170
