![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Raul-Rosas-Jr..png?width=600)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Raul-Rosas-Jr..png?width=600)
UFC 287 had its first setback as bantamweight Christian Rodriguez reportedly missed weight ahead of his bout against prospect Raul Rosas Jr. As per multiple Twitter handles, Rodrigues ended up missing the mark by one pound despite having made a second attempt.
After giving fans a scare with this update, further news confirmed that the bout would still go ahead with Rodriguez forfeiting a share of his purse. The bantamweight fight between the two is slated to be the first fight on the main card, while middleweight champ Alex Pereira takes on Israel Adesanya in the main event.
Christian Rodriguez to forfeit a percentage of his purse
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As per a tweet by an MMA Junkie reporter, the 25-year-old had weighed in at 137 pounds, one pound over the limit. Following another failed attempt at making weight, further updates revealed that the fight would still go ahead, but with the fighter forfeiting 20% of his purse.
Christian Rodriguez's final weight was 137, one pound over the bantamweight limit.
His bout with Raul Rosas Jr. will go on at #UFC287, but he'll forfeit 20% of his purse, per UFC official.
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) April 7, 2023
Fortunately, despite the pay cut, fans can still look forward to this bout between two talented fighters. As for how this development would affect the fight in itself; that shouldn’t be too much of a debate considering that Rodriguez missed the mark by a mere pound.
Christian Rodriguez to take on Raul Rosas at UFC 287
While the event does boast superstars like Adesanya, Jorge Masvidal, and Alex Pereira, the bantamweight bout between Rosas and Rodriguez serves as a show of the immense talent that the promotion currently has.
While Rodriguez is himself a talented fighter with a record of eight wins and one loss, Rosas, on the other hand, has been touted as a future champ by many in the MMA community. Currently undefeated, the 18-year-old has seven wins, with six of them coming via finish.
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Heading into the bout, ‘El Niño Problema’ would probably aim to find yet another finish against Rodriguez and continue on the impressive run that he is currently on.
Read More: Alex Pereira Says Israel Adesanya Wants Him to “Discipline” Izzy Like His Father Used to Do
Also, the fact that both fighters get the opportunity to fight on the main card of a star-studded event opens up many possibilities for the winner. A win here could propel either one into a star in their own right, and neither Rosas nor Rodriguez would want to lose that opportunity.
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Fortunately, the bout still stays on despite Rodriguez missing weight, and fans can still look forward to this entertaining bantamweight fight.
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