Keita’s UFC Debut Gets Cancelled Over Weight Management Issues
Set to make his entrance into the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Losene Keita, widely known as the ‘Black Panther,’ was henceforth ready for his first bout in Paris, France, at the renowned Accor Arena. Despite anticipations running high for a September 6, 2025, match against the martial arts veteran Patrício Pitbull, events took an unpredicted turn.
The weigh-ins, held on September 5, saw the Black Panther falter with his weight management, landing three pounds above the non-title limit, which was extensively set at 146 lbs. Ultimately, Keita tipped the scale at 149 lbs. This discrepancy called for the cancelation of the forthcoming match, leaving both the parties and the spectators in sheer disappointment.
Consequently, the UFC made the decision to shelf the bout, formally attributing the Black Panther’s weight management issues as the cause of the cancellation. This incident struck as a resilient setback for UFC Paris, which had already seen another scheduled duel fall out earlier in that week.
A decorated champion from the Oktagon MMA, Keita held titles in two divisions, boasting an impressive record prior to his maiden UFC fight. Having put pen to paper in mid-August for the UFC, the stakes were high for his first battle, scheduled merely three weeks post his signing.
On the fateful Friday morning of the weigh-ins, Keita’s recorded weight of 149 lbs crossed the set featherweight limit, leading the UFC authorities to formally call off the impending match, to the dismay of the eager fans who were predicting a showstopper.
The cancelation of the duel stood as a blow to the spectators who were looking forward to Keita’s pulsating fight-or-flight style pitted against the seasoned expertise of Pitbull. Patrício Pitbull, the seasoned veteran, didn’t take this turn of events lightly. His anticipation and readiness for the fight was quite apparent in multiple video discussions and interviews he partook.
Explicitly stating his stance as a professional sporting individual, Pitbull affirmed that making weight was never an issue for him. He projected slight discomfort, implying that Keita had the home ground advantage, mitigating travel and jet lag adversities, yet failed to meet the weight standards.
Adding fuel to the fire, Pitbull made a bold allegation labeling Keita as ‘unprofessional.’ His words echoed his chagrin, pointing out how Keita, even with all the favorable circumstances, couldn’t meet the weight requirement. Pitbull made his stance clear, giving a glimpse into his motto – ‘I fight for legacy, not money.’
Choosing to add a touch of sarcasm amidst all the tension, the seasoned martial artist didn’t shy away from creating a mockery out of the situation. Pitbull further claimed that Keita had seemingly given up on the weight-loss process before the cutoff time at 11 am and instead, was amusingly gobbling up jars of baby food.
In the most unanticipated fashion, Pitbull rechristened Keita as the ‘Fat Panther,’ driving attention to the latter’s weight mishap. His choice of words resurfaced the irony, emphasizing Keita’s unsuccessful attempt in being in the acceptable weight bracket critical for the fight.
Contrary to the dismal situation, Pitbull exuded preparedness and resilience, expressing his willingness to challenge another combatant. His sights were now set on a one-on-one with Arnold Allen, aimed at the UFC’s event in Rio on October 11, making a strong statement that he was ready to move past the failed match.
Pitbull indeed demonstrated true sportsmanship in the face of disappointment, exhibiting his resolve to forge forward. With plans of competing at the UFC Rio, he made it undeniably clear that stumbling blocks such as these wouldn’t deter him from his path.
Such instances often shed light on the imperative nature of precision and discipline necessary in professional sports like UFC. Making weight, often perceived to be a simple task, carries weight in deciding the future of the match, as seen in Keita’s unfortunate incident.
Though marred with unexpected outcomes and doused spectator excitement, this incident sure has lessons pegged. The responsibility of maintaining their weight very much falls on the fighters, an aspect undisputedly needing attention and seriousness on their part.
In the end, while the UFC fraternity along with the fans were met with an unexpected disappointment, the redemption lies in forward-looking endeavors. With this, a hopeful curtain draws, anticipating twists, turns and arena-shaking matches in the near future, with athletes overcoming obstacles and complying with the norms to deliver enthralling bouts.