British UFC London star in tears at weigh-in as opponent arrives 8lb over limit

British UFC fighter Melissa Mullins was in tears as she took to the scales on Friday, moments before her opponent failed to make weight. Mullins, born in Oxford but fighting out of Coventry, is due to face Luana Carolina in the opening bout of UFC London on Saturday, but that contest is now almost certain to be cancelled. Mullins successfully weighed in on Friday morning, tipping the scales at 136lb, but the 34-year-old was in tears as she did so. After a brief period of speculation as to what in particular had made her so emotional, the answer might have come in the form of Carolina’s weigh-in. The Brazilian, 32, was 8lb over the 136lb bantamweight limit, coming in at 144lb. She weighed in behind a curtain, seemingly in minimal or no clothing, as fighters often do while struggling to make weight. Once her weight was read aloud by UFC commentator John Gooden, it was announced that Carolina would be cutting no more weight. Just one year ago, Carolina’s planned fight with Montana De La Rosa was cancelled for the same reason, as the Brazilian struggled to make weight for a flyweight bout. UFC London is due to take place at the O2 Arena on Saturday, and Mullins’s fight with Carolina is due to be the Briton’s fifth in the promotion. Mullins is 2-2 in the UFC so far, with her record in the promotion reading win, loss, win, loss since her debut in 2023. Her most-recent outing was a decision defeat by Darya Zheleznyakova in June. Mullins’s overall record in mixed martial arts is 7-2. Whether or not Mullins is able to compete on Saturday, the UFC London card is full of British names. Manchester’s Lerone Murphy will headline against Movsar Evloev, with the fight widely seen as a title eliminator at featherweight. However, Murphy said he had been given no assurances by the UFC. Both Murphy and his Russian opponent made weight on Friday, with Murphy tipping the scales at 145lb and Evloev at 146lb. In the co-main event, Liverpool’s Luke Riley – a teammate of UFC star Paddy Pimblett – will take on US featherweight Michael Aswell Jr. Riley and Aswell Jr both made weight on Friday.