There are last-minute fight cancellations – and then there’s what happened at UFC Fight Night 185. For the first time, a bout was canceled after one fighter made the walk to the cage.
The third fight of the card was scheduled to be Chas Skelly vs. Jamall Emmers. After Skelly (18-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) already was in the cage, however, Emmers (18-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) did not make the walk on his queue.
According to the broadcast, Emmers suffered back spasms backstage and was unable to compete. The broadcast also added that Emmers’ “body had shut down,” prompting Nevada Athletic Commission officials to intervene.
Ring announcer Joe Martinez made the official announcement on the microphone that the fight was canceled because of “medical reasons backstage” as Skelly awkwardly left the cage without throwing a single punch.
Although he did not compete, Skelly still was given the opportunity for a post-fight interview on the ESPN+ broadcast. Skelly used his time to make his pitch for still getting paid and wished Emmers well.
“I’m feeling like I should get my win bonus,” Skelly said. “I weighed in, I made weight, and I stepped in the cage. That’s how I feel. I hope Jamall is OK.”
Chas Skelly was in the cage waiting for his opponent, but Jamall Emmers could not compete due to back spasms.
The #UFCVegas19 bout was canceled due to "medical reasons backstage." pic.twitter.com/WyOXczZB8I
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 20, 2021
Skelly, 35, has not competed in an MMA fight since September 2019 and had contemplated retirement in 2020. UFC Fight Night 185 marks his third consecutive bout cancellation.
UFC Fight Night 185 took place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streamed on ESPN+.
