Instant cut? Fans bash Contender Series standout after atrocious UFC Vegas 104 weight miss: ‘Fastest way to Dana’s bad side’

Dan Hiergesell is an expert voice who serves as MMAmania.com's weekend editor, covering mixed martial arts (MMA) for more than 15 years, getting featured on programs such as Countdown to UFC and SiriusXM Fight Club, among others.

Undefeated UFC newcomer Diyar Nurgozhay missed weight by five pounds earlier today for his Octagon debut against Brendson Ribeiro this weekend at UFC Vegas 104 and fight fans are letting the former Contender Series standout have it.

This weekend’s card isn’t as stacked as some would like. Outside of the main event rematch between middleweight contenders Marvin Vettori and Roman Dolidze, UFC Vegas 104 is made up of rising prospects and a handful of veterans with their backs against the wall. The undefeated Nurgozhay was supposed to be one of the lone bright spots on Saturday’s lineup, especially after turning in a dominant head kick knockout on the Contender Series last October.

Unfortunately, the Kazakhstan fighter came in five pounds over weight for his light heavyweight fight this weekend against Ribeiro. Nurgozhay officially tipped the scale at 210.5 pounds during Friday’s early weigh ins (results HERE). Luckily, UFC was able to keep the fight on schedule after fining Nurgozhay 25% of his fight purse.

As expected, fight fans didn’t take kindly to seeing Nurgozhay step on the scale overweight. Not only because this was his official UFC debut, but also because he missed it by five pounds. Ribeiro just so happens to be a true gamer and was willing to fight no matter what. That still doesn’t help Nurgozhay with a large collection of disgruntled fight fans as he prepares for his official UFC debut this weekend in “Sin City.”

Check out the fan reaction to Nurgozhay’s egregious weight miss below (via X):

“Well that’s a good way to get cut quick.”
“Fastest way to Dana White’s bad side right there
“Andddddd Gone. Back to regionals.”
“He didn’t even try.”
“Doesn’t even look dry or sunk in... Hasn’t even attempted to cut it by the looks of it. Should be given a long road back..... Pathetic on your debut that!”
“Can’t spell ‘UFC debut’ without ‘C.U.T.’”
“Cut him.”
“Bro i am never watching this dumb sport again.”
“Good luck on your one fight with the UFC.”
“Why even bother getting on the scale?”
“Pretty atrocious miss.”
“Did he forget he had a fight this weekend?!!”
“Cut this bum. What a waste of space.”

LIVE! Stream UFC Vegas 104 On ESPN+

MIDDLEWEIGHT REMATCH! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to its APEX facility in Las Vegas for an important main event do-over between Top 15 title contenders Marvin Vettori and Roman Dolidze, who run it back atop UFC Vegas 104 for a spot in the 185-pound title chase. In addition, red-hot welterweight veteran, Chidi Njokuani, looks to win his third straight against well-traveled Brazilian banger, Elizeu Zaleski, in UFC Vegas 104’s hard-hitting co-headliner.

Don’t miss a single second of face-punching action!

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MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 104 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN+ preliminary card bouts at 4 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining main card balance on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 104 news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive here. For the updated and finalized “Vettori vs. Dolidze 2” fight card and ESPN+ lineup click here.