UFC 291 loses Stephen Thompson vs Michel Pereira

Stephen Thompson will not be facing Michel Pereira in the main card at UFC 291. UFC commentator Megan Olivi announced the bout was canceled.

At the official weigh-ins, Pereira missed the welterweight limit by three pounds coming in at 174 pounds. Thompson in the other hand did make weight at 170.5 pounds.

Pereira has failed to meet the welterweight limit in the UFC for the second time during UFC 291. He has been absent from competition since May 2022. In contrast, Thompson has never failed to meet the weight requirement and has not competed since December.

It is uncertain if both fighters couldn’t come to an agreement or if it was medical or commission intervention.

UFC 291: Poirier vs Gaethje Fight Card:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje – for “BMF” title
Jan Blachowicz vs. Alex Pereira
Tony Ferguson vs. Bobby Green
Michael Chiesa vs. Kevin Holland

PRELIMINARY CARD (ABC/ESPN/ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

Gabriel Bonfim vs. Trevin Giles
Derrick Lewis vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
Roman Kopylov vs. Claudio Ribeiro
Darrius Flowers vs. Jake Matthews

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET)

Vinicius Salvador vs. CJ Vergara
Uros Medic vs. Matthew Semelsberger
Priscila Cachoeira vs. Miranda Maverick

Roberto Villa

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.