UFC 325 fighter issues apology after weigh-in cheating scandal

A UFC 325 fighter has been forced to issue a public apology after a controversial incident at the card’s official weigh-ins.

The fighter in question is Aaron Tau, a flyweight prospect from New Zealand. He was set to take on Namsrai Batbayar in the finals of the latest edition of Road to UFC, a talent-scouting program in Asia. Unfortunately, things hit a serious snag at the weigh ins.

After arriving to the weigh-in area, Tau stripped down and stepped behind the UFC privacy screen to weigh in, which usually implies a tough weight cut. However, he then weighed in well below the 126-pound flyweight limit, at 122.5 lbs.

That immediately sparked suspicion among those watching, and people quickly realized that Tau had been resting his elbows on the privacy screen to slightly reduce the weight on the scale. He then weighed in again without screen, and tipped the scale at 129 lbs—way over the flyweight limit. In other words, he had seemingly attempted to cheat the scale.

It’s the same trick Daniel Cormier used successfully many years ago. The difference of course, is that Cormier was the UFC light heavyweight champion at the time, and not an undercard fighter fighting for a spot on the roster.

The incident caused Tau’s fight to be cancelled. Beyond that, it’s hard to say what the future holds for him, as he effectively derailed the Road to UFC tournament at the finish line. It’s unlikely the promotion’s decision makers are happy with him.

Whatever the case, he wants the UFC bosses and the fans to know he’s sorry. Speaking on Instagram, he apologized for missing weight.

Aaron Tau apologizes for UFC 325 weigh-in debacle

 

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A post shared by Aaron Tauzemup Tau (@tauzemup_ufc)

“I need to apologise to my opponent, the UFC, my team, and my fans,” Tau wrote. “Though I pushed to the end, I have one job, to make weight and fight. I didn’t do that. I’m sorry.”

Unfortunately, fans didn’t offer a lot of sympathy. Many pointed out that the UFC hopeful didn’t actually acknowledge his attempt to cheat.

“Missing weight is one thing but trying to cheat in front of millions makes it something totally different,” one commenter wrote.

“Yeah bro not only did you not make weight you cheated lmao,” another added.

Tapology has Tau’s pro record at 11-1. His lone loss was a decision defeat to Elijah Smith on Dana White’s Contender Series. That setback marked a previous failed attempt to score a UFC contract.

UFC 325 goes down tonight from Sydney, Australia. Alexander Volkanovski will defend his featherweight belt in a rematch with Diego Lopes in the main event.