A Recurring Challenge for Luana Carolina
Luana Carolina has once again found herself in a difficult situation, this time failing to make weight for her UFC Vegas 103 bout against Montana De La Rosa. For the third time in her UFC career, Carolina struggled to meet the flyweight limit, not even making it to the official weigh-ins on Friday. The cancellation of her fight was first reported by Ag. Fight and later confirmed by the UFC. This setback is particularly frustrating for Carolina, who has previously faced weight cut challenges in her career and managed to secure victories despite these issues. Her inability to make weight this time around, however, means that she will not be stepping into the octagon, a stark contrast to De La Rosa, who was ready and willing to accept the fight even with Carolina’s weight issues.
Weight Management Struggles
Carolina’s weight management issues are not new. In May 2021, she came in 2.5 pounds over the flyweight limit for her bout with Poliana Botelho and, more recently, in February 2024, she was three pounds over for her fight against Julija Stoliarenko. Despite these weight misses, Carolina managed to triumph in both of these bouts. The current issue, however, is more severe as she reportedly couldn’t even come within five pounds of the required 126 pounds. This significant discrepancy meant that the Nevada Athletic Commission would not allow the fight to proceed, even though De La Rosa was willing to accept Carolina despite her weight. The chronic nature of these weight struggles highlights a critical issue in Carolina’s preparation and training regimen, one that could potentially affect her future in the sport.
Main Event Weigh-Ins Go Smoothly
Despite the setback with Carolina’s bout, the main event weigh-ins for UFC Vegas 103 went off without a hitch. Asu Almabayev was the first fighter to step on the scale and came in at 126 pounds, while his opponent Manel Kape also weighed in at 126. Both fighters utilized the one-pound allowance for non-title fights, ensuring their bout is on track. Kape, ranked No. 10 in the flyweight division by the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, is set to face Almabayev, who is currently No. 13. Almabayev’s perfect 4-0 record in the UFC has seen him stepping in as a replacement for the injured Brandon Royval, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the fight.
Other Weight-Related Issues
While the main card was relatively smooth, there were other weight-related issues on the preliminary card. Lucas Almeida, set to face Danny Silva, missed the featherweight limit by two pounds, weighing in at 148 pounds. As a result, their bout will proceed at a catchweight, with Almeida forfeiting 20 percent of his purse as a penalty. The severity of this weight miss underscores the importance of precise weight management in the sport, where missing the limit can have significant financial and competitive consequences.
Medical Issues Impact Another Fight
Shortly after the weigh-ins, the UFC announced that the 140-pound catchweight bout between Douglas Silva de Andrade and John Castaneda had been canceled due to medical issues on Silva de Andrade’s side. This cancellation adds to the list of last-minute changes and setbacks that often plague combat sports. Silva de Andrade, who was initially scheduled for the bout, will now have to reassess his health and training to prepare for future fights. The sudden nature of such cancellations can be particularly challenging for fighters, who often spend months in rigorous training and preparation only to have their plans disrupted.
Looking Forward
The weigh-in results for UFC Vegas 103 are a mix of smooth transitions and significant hurdles. While fighters like Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev successfully made weight and are set for their main event showdown, others like Luana Carolina and Douglas Silva de Andrade faced unexpected challenges. For Carolina, this latest weight miss is a wake-up call and a reminder of the critical importance of consistent and effective weight management. Moving forward, she will need to address these issues to ensure a more stable and successful career in the UFC. Similarly, Silva de Andrade will need to focus on his health and recovery to be in optimal condition for his next fight. Despite the setbacks, the event promises to deliver exciting bouts, and fans are eagerly anticipating the outcomes of the main and preliminary cards.
