ONE Championship’s upcoming ONE Fight Night 27 card was reduced to nine bouts on Friday morning after Parham Gheirati was unable to weigh in within the catchweight limit for his matchup with Rambolek in Bangkok.
The 21-year-old Iranian was set to make his main roster debut in a bantamweight Muay Thai bout on Saturday morning at Lumpinee Stadium, after earning a US$100,000 contract on ONE Friday Fights.
But Gheirati, who trains out of the Petchsaman gym in Pattaya, did not turn up to the scales during Thursday’s three-hour window for the official weigh-ins and hydration tests.
He later came in to give a hydrated sample but weighed more than 105 per cent of Rambolek’s official weight – putting him outside the allowance for the fight to still go ahead, per promotional rules.
The pair did not face off during Friday afternoon’s ceremonial weigh-ins at the Cielo Sky Bar in W District, and later both took to social media to confirm their fight was off.
“Unfortunately, my fight has been canceled and will be rescheduled,” Gheirati said. “I gave it my all, but I was unable to make the required weight for the weigh-in.
“I sincerely apologise to my opponent, ONE Championship, my team, and all my supporters. Thank you for your understanding, and please stay tuned for updates on my next fight.”
Rambolek had comfortably passed hydration and made weight at 143.75lbs for the 145lbs fight, and was willing to accept the fight even outside the 105 percent limit, but it was not to be. “It appears that there was too much weight, which makes it impossible to go on,” Rambolek said.
“I'm so sad because I put so much effort into this fight. I have been doing everything to make weight better. Training, eating, and working [on hydration] to be ready for this fight.
“Although this fight did not happen as planned, I assure that I will not stop improving myself and will be ready for every fight.”
Six fighters failed to pass hydration during Thursday’s weigh-ins, with five matchups – or half the card – affected, though the other four will still go ahead.
Akbar Abdullaev will no longer be able to win the featherweight MMA title from Tang Kai in the main event, which will now be contested at a 156.75lbs catchweight after the Kyrgyztani challenger failed two hydration tests.
Kulabdam and John Lineker both failed hydration for their bantamweight Muay Thai bout but it will proceed at 150.75lbs.
Luke Lessei accepted a 160.5lbs catchweight to face Cody Jerome in their previously scheduled featherweight Muay Thai fight.
Mongolia’s Enkh-Orgil Bhaatarkuu – coming up from bantamweight to featherweight – also agreed to face featherweight Aaron Canarte at 160.75lbs.