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The Official Weigh-in saw a lot of drama before this month's UFC 228 event. There was a lot of tension in the air as the fighters lined up and had their weights taken.
Weigh-ins are critical events which take place before the actual fight-nights to check if the fighters fit into their groups' weights or not.
If a fighter fails to make the weight, then often championship matches are called off and depending on the state where the fight is taking place, the actual fights are canceled as well. With all this in mind, the fighters were naturally tense as their months of training and weight-cuts came into play.
While some of the fighters were cool and light-hearted, others were far from it as a lot depended on the outcome of the proceedings for them.
The weigh-ins saw a fighter who had faced enormous amounts of skepticism, not only make the weight but actually come under it, while an entire Championship fight had to be scrapped due to a withdrawal prior to the weigh-ins.
Without any further ado, let's get into the three major things that were observed from the weigh-ins of UFC 228.
#4 Nicco Montano's absence
One of the major things those present at the proceedings took home with them on the night, was the absence of Nicco Montano. Montano's fight against Shevchenko had been one of the most hyped fights of the night, and her absence from proceedings was a huge letdown, and people came to know that she had to be hospitalised.
Montano was hospitalised due to concerns over her health and had to pull out of the fight. Seeing that she had been set to co-main event, being the only other title fight of the night, it was a blow to the whole card.
Dana White did not take it lightly and hours later stripped her of the title. While this may seem harsh at first glance, Montano had delayed her fight earlier in April and again in July, and this was the last straw that broke the proverbial camel's back as far as White was concerned.
#2 The Ironic Towel
Tyron Woodley has talked a lot of trash leading into the fight against Darren Till. There were a lot of shots from Woodley's fans that Till would not be able to make the weight and fail to take part in the Championship fight.
Unfortunately for Woodley, the shoe was on the other foot; or in this case, the towel. The towel is used by officials during weigh-ins to cover up the UFC star in case they fail to make the weight the first time with their underwear on. Then they need to retake their weight this time without their underwear. The towel is held up to protect their dignity.
While Woodley looked extremely cocky heading into the weigh-in, all of that was replaced by alarm when he weighed in at 171 pounds on the first try, a pound over what he needed to weigh to face Till and make the Championship match.
He had to retake his weight behind the towel, and the sigh of relief from both him and his fans was audible when he made the weight at 170 pounds.
It was not the only time of the night that the towel was needed, with Zabit Magamedsherapov also needing it to make the weight.
#1 The Triumph Before The Fight
Darren Till had received a lot of hate over the last few weeks, with a lot of people doubting his ability to make the weight and face the champion, Woodley.
The fans of Woodley could not find a place to hide when he hardly made the weight, and their consternation was added to by the fact that earlier in the night Till had not only made the weight but that he had come in at 169 pounds, a pound less than what he was required to lose to fight for the Championship.
Till's happiness knew no bounds, as he flexed triumphantly, before giving the double fingers to all of his critics.
While the action was not graceful, there is nothing graceful with what he has faced over the last few weeks either.
Now it remains to be seen, whether, in a few hours he can emerge as triumphantly from the Octagon.
Who will win the main event, Darren Till or Tyron Woodley? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
