UFC Paris headliner Renato Moicano and 185lber co-headliner Brendan Allen were expected to return to their hotel rooms after their respective weight cuts. They hit the scales for the early-morning weigh-ins on Friday. Instead ‘All In’ Allen reported he had to be all in and on hand for impromptu testing for hours.
UFC Paris (UFC Fight Night 243) ceremonial fighter weigh-ins took place from inside the promotion’s host Hotel, Live at 3 a.m. ET. After the early weigh-ins, the official ceremonial weigh-in festivities streamed Live at 12 p.m. ET. It happened at the nearby Accor Arena, which hosts Saturday’s card. Middleweight Brendan Allen said he and event headliner ‘Money’ Moicano ran into some snafus.
France has the most corrupt way of dealing with fighters, ever, in the whole world, …They’re gonna tell me I have to give blood. First they said urine — right off the scale. Dehydrated … waited three hours, finally have to pee, then they tell me I have to give blood on top of that…Just me and Moicano had to do this. The two Frenchman didn’t get to have anything. They just get to go to their room [to] sleep, eat, chill…
Brendan Allen via IG (@b_allen185)
The alleged incident is reminiscent of the 2022 testing pool ambush. USADA had drawn blood, infuriating Paulo Costa during UFC 278 weigh-ins. This impromptu sample collection comes from existing protocols by Drug-Free Sport International (DFSI). The sanctioning and alleged “ambush” is overseen independently by CSAD/George Piro. However, Team Kill Cliff FC’s Allen said only he and Renato Moicano got such treatment, not hometown heroes Nassourdine Imavov or Benoit Saint-Denis.
Brendan Allen says French MMA officials are corrupt – subjecting him and Renato Moicano to urine and blood sampling at weigh-ins that French fighters weren’t subjected to. pic.twitter.com/N5u1e1ky9O
— Clocked N’ Loaded (@ClockedNload) September 27, 2024
Allen has been known to run his mouth smooth without a hinge and call attention to whatever he needs to. Currently, on a seven-fight win streak with five submission finishes, he’s hunting a spot in the crowded 185-pound title chase. No. 8 in the division, he also takes issues with the ranking panel for disputed ranks and finishes pecking above him. He’ll do anything for his top spot and an umbrage on random testing is the least of it. Thankfully, the weigh-ins went almost smooth after.
UFC Fight Night 243 ceremonial weigh-ins results
UFC Paris (UFC Fight Night 243) ceremonial weigh-ins took place Friday, and the fighters came face-to-face one last time. Brazilian Renato Moicano fights in the headlining stage for the second-ever time in his tenure as of yet. The top 15 lightweight meets another top 15 standout and hometown fave Benoit Saint-Denis.
All fighters weigh in for UFC Paris (Source: es.agfight.com/YT)Subsequently, Brendan Allen (24-5 MMA, 12-2 UFC) and Nassourdine Imavov (14-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) also hit the scales. Their 185-pound clash can have high-flying implications on the state of the already convoluted crown dash. The 28-year-old Allen, prone to fiery scraps and results, is looking to find his standing on foreign turf. Along with him, the Fight Night 243 Main card (ESPN+, 3 p.m. ET) weigh-in results include:
— Moicano (156lbs) vs. Saint-Denis (156lbs) for the event headliner
— As well as Allen (186lbs) vs. Nassourdine Imavov (186lbs)
— Joanderson Brito (146lbs) vs. William Gomis (146lbs)
— Bryan Battle (170lbs) vs. Kevin Jousset (169lbs)
— Morgan Charriere (146lbs) vs. Gabriel Miranda (146lbs)
— Matt Frevola (156lbs) vs. Fares Ziam (156lbs) also weighed in proper, last but not least
Accordingly, all prelim fighters (ESPN+, noon ET) made weight as well. Top names include the likes of Ion Cutelaba (205lbs), Da Woon Jung (205lbs), Oumar Sy (205lbs), Vince Morales (135lbs), Darya Zheleznyakova (135lbs), and others. Although Ailin Perez (136.5) missed the WMMA bantamweight limit by .5 pounds, the fight goes on. She’ll forfeit 20% of her total fight purse.
Other than the Brazilian and feature co-main Allen, there were no reports for spot test pools for any other fighters. Per the existing drug-testing protocols, this was perhaps a last-minute check for the main events of the night. All in all, Paris is a go and the fighters are ready for their battles.
