Share
6th April 2018
09:47pm BST
Pettis weighed in at 155.2lbs but NYSAC regulations allowed him two hours to shed the excess .2lbs if he was interested in fighting for the title.
Apparently, a disagreement over Pettis' purse is what ultimately got in the way of the fight being made and he remains off the card.
Paul Felder was the next potential stand-in explored and he appeared a more straightforward option because he'd already made 155lbs.
"Championship weight!" Felder proudly declared as he stood on the scales.
But Nurmagomedov vs. Felder immediately hit a snag as the NYSAC would not allow an unranked fighter to fight for a world title against one of the best in the division.
https://twitter.com/felderpaul/status/982282848307572738
That argument seems nothing short of ridiculous due to the fact that the rankings are the UFC's own, are voted upon by little-known media members and are taken seriously by very few in the sport.
Pettis was out, Felder was out and then, all of a sudden, Felder's scheduled opponent became the favourite to headline UFC 223.
Al Iaquinta's issues with the UFC over the years have been well-documented and he recently spent two years away from fighting to focus on his real estate business.
But he returned last April and knocked out Diego Sanchez in the first round and while he may only be ranked at 11th in the division, the UFC decided to give him the green light to attempt to shock the world by handing Nurmagomedov the first defeat of his professional career.
Unfortunately, 'Ragin' Al is not eligible to win the lightweight title even if he does upset Nurmagomedov as he too weighed in officially at 155.2lbs and by the time the UFC began looking for a replacement for Holloway, it was too late for Iaquinta to re-weigh but the main event represents a huge opportunity for the 30-year-old.
The only New Yorker on the entire card, Iaquinta will receive a rousing welcome when he headlines his first ever UFC event.
*UPDATE* - UFC President Dana White subsequently claimed that Iaquinta would internally be considered the UFC lightweight champion if he manages to beat Nurmagomedov but also insisted that the title wouldn't be recognised by the New York State Athletic CommissionExplore more on these topics:
