Rafael Estevam failed to make weight for the third time in his UFC career at the UFC Vegas 115 official weigh-ins on Friday. The undefeated bantamweight came in at 136.5 pounds, half a pound over the limit for his bout against Ethyn Ewing.
Estevam was one of three fighters who missed weight at the close of the first weigh-in window at Meta Apex. Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev weighed in at 207 pounds for his light heavyweight bout, while Darrius Flowers registered 156.5 pounds for his lightweight contest.
Weight Miss History
This marks Estevam’s third weight miss in the UFC. He has previously failed to make weight twice at 135 pounds and once at 125 pounds.
The UFC announced that Estevam’s bout with Ewing will proceed as a catchweight fight. Estevam will forfeit 20 percent of his purse as a penalty. Flowers’ fight with Lando Vannata will also continue at catchweight under the same financial penalty.
Main Event Weigh-Ins
Longtime lightweight contender Renato Moicano was the first fighter to weigh in, successfully hitting the mark at 156 pounds. His opponent, Chris Duncan, later registered the same weight for Saturday’s main event.
Strawweight contenders Virna Jandiroba (116) and Tabatha Ricci (115.5) both made weight for the co-main event without issue. Yakhyaev has been cleared to attempt a second weigh-in for his light heavyweight bout against Brendson Ribeiro.
UFC Vegas 115 takes place Saturday at Meta Apex with the main card streaming on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET.
