Filed under: News , UFC Charles Rosa is taking the high road in response to opponent Mizuto Hirota being pulled from UFC Fight Night 117 at the last minute due to a botched weight cut. After Hirota (18-8-2 MMA, 1-3-1 UFC) came in four pounds over the featherweight limit for his matchup with Rosa (11-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC), which was set to open tonight’s UFC Fight Night 117 main card on FXX at Saitama Super Arena in Japan, there was much concern over whether it was safe for the fight to go on. Despite UFC officials originally stating Hirota was fit to compete, it was later decided that due to “health and safety concerns,” the Japanese fighter would not step in the octagon in his home country. Although athlete safety should always come first, it’s a disappointing turn of events for Rosa, who put in a full training camp, flew all the way from Florida and made weight in a professional manner. He’s naturally upset over the situation, but Rosa chose not to kick Hirota while he was down (via Instagram ): Unfortunately, my @UFC fight versus Mizuto Hirota was cancelled early this morning for his safety by medical doctors. After Mizuto came to weigh-ins 5lbs overweight, I accepted to fight him regardless, woke up the following morning to find out he was pulled.
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Charles Rosa ‘heartbroken’ after Mizuto Hirota pulled from UFC-Japan for safety reasons – MMA Junkie