UFC: Justin Tafa, heavyweight…too heavy

You’ll be able to follow Charles Jourdain in action Saturday night with the UFC Gala presentation starting at 5:30 p.m. on RDS2 and RDS Live.

JALA card

Justin Tafa put his name in the UFC history book on Friday.

Samoan became the first heavyweight fighter to break his weight limit, on the eve of his duel against Harry Hunsucker. Unlike boxing, where no limit is imposed in the heavyweight category, a maximum of 266 pounds in mixed martial arts is allowed in a duel with no title at stake.

On Friday, Tafa weighed in at 267 pounds and was therefore fined.

Heavyweight Greg Hardy also crossed the limit last October (266.5 lbs), but then complied on his second attempt (264.5 lbs).

Two other fighters featured on the card for this gig presented in Las Vegas on Saturday night missed out on their weight: Sijara Eubanks’ flyweight (127.5 pounds) and Bantamweight Macy Chiasson (148.5 pounds).

For his part, Charles Jordan, a Quebec fighter (145.5 pounds) respected the featherweight limit in anticipation of his fight against André Ewell (145 pounds).

As for heavyweights Derek Lewis and Chris Dawkos, who will bear the brunt of this festival finale, they both avoided the humiliation of Tafa.