Professional boxer Ricardo Mayorga is set to make his mixed martial arts (MMA) debut tonight (May 3, 2013) in Nicaragua, but it won't be without some controversy, as the 39-year-old came in way, way overweight for his scheduled lightweight bout against Wesley Tiffer at Omega MMA: "Battle of the Americas".
The fight was contracted to take place at 155-pounds, and Mayorga tipped the scales at a whopping 175.9 pounds.
Clearly, this didn't go over well with his opponent, who came in at 153, and shortly after both fighters weighed in words were exchanged and the shoving --started by Mayorga-- began.
Fortunately, Omega MMA officials were on-scene were able to prevent the scuffle from getting out of hand.
Despite Mayorga missing weight by a significant margin, the Nicaraguan combat sports commission that is overseeing the event has allowed the bout to go on as scheduled.
Mayorga boasted a 29-8-1 record with 23 knockouts over the course of his 11-year boxing career. However, he hasn't fought professionally in more than two years since suffering a defeat to Miguel Cotto in March 2011.
Despite having shared the ring with the likes of Cotto, Shane Mosley, Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas, among others, over the course of his career, Mayorga may be best known for his brash and carefree personality outside of competition, and that hasn't changed for his move to MMA.
The entire Omega MMA: "Battle of the Americas" fight card featuring the Tiffer vs. Mayorga main event can be purchased online for just $9.99 right here. It begins at 10 p.m. ET.
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