A UFC Fight Was Just Cancelled With One Fighter in the Cage

The phrase “last minute cancellation” is usually an exaggeration. But at UFC Vegas 19 on Saturday, one bout was cancelled at the literal last minute, even as one fighter had already entered the cage.

UFC featherweight veteran Chas Skelly was scheduled to face Jamall “Pretty Boy” Emmers on the undercard of the UFC’s Fight Night card from Vegas. But after Skelly made his way to the cage first, but Emmers never followed. After a few awkward minutes, ring announcer Joe Martinez announced that the fight had been cancelled due to “medical reasons.”

The ESPN broadcast also added that Emmers had suffered a back injury of sort and that his body was unable to compete.

Despite the circumstances, Skelly was given a post-fight interview. Skelly wished Emmers well and asked for his win bonus.

“I made weight, I stepped in the cage. That’s how I feel,” said Skelly.

This was the first time in UFC history that a fight has been cancelled after one fighter has already entered the cage.

Ben Coate

Ben has been involved with grappling, whether through wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, essentially his entire life. After wrestling throughout his childhood, Ben found Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a young adult and quickly fell in love. He has been training for over ten years and currently holds the rank of brown belt, and remains involved in both the MMA and BJJ scene. Ben has been writing about combat sports since 2017. He has interviewed and profiled some of MMA's biggest stars, including multiple UFC champions.

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