A. Mina (photo) would make her UFC debut at the TUF China Finale. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook
Alberto Mina did not accept the episode that took place days before what would have been his UFC debut, at the beginning of the month, in Macau. The Brazilian was scheduled to face Zak Cummings at the event, in a fight valid for the welterweight category (up to 77 kg), but saw his opponent weighing more than 80 kg.
As traditionally happens in cases of this type, the UFC offered the Brazilian the fight at a catchweight, giving him 20% of the purse that Cummings would receive. However, Mina didn't accept it and saw her debut in the most famous MMA organization in the world postponed.
In an interview with the North American website “MMA Fighting”, Mina expressed her frustration with what happened, but does not appear to regret having denied the fight. “I waited a long time and invested a lot in this fight. Like every professional fighter, I cut 10 kg of weight in eight days, which is normal. Cutting weight takes a toll and I'm no different from anyone else. My debut in Macau would mean a lot to me, as more than 300 friends and students left Hong Kong, where I train and teach, for the fight”, said the fighter. “It's very frustrating to sweat and dedicate yourself to achieving this dream and see everything go down the drain because of another fighter's incompetence.”
Mina stated that he did not accept the fight at a combined weight because of Cummings' attitude, who informed him of what had happened at the last minute. “I would have agreed to fight at a combined weight if they had told me on Friday morning, before I went to the sauna, to cut the last weight I was missing, something around 5 kg. However, the guy waited for me to reach my limit before offering me the fight at combined weight and 20% of the purse – which isn’t much.”
The Brazilian also praised the support given by the UFC to him in the face of the entire situation. “There’s a reason the UFC is the biggest organization in the world. They paid me as if I had fought. I received a message from Dana White [UFC president], saying he was sorry for what had happened. They impressed me with their professionalism.”
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