Nik Lentz releases statement following UFC 216 fallout - ‘I bit off more than I could chew’

With just over 24 hours left before challenging fellow lightweight Will Brooks later tonight (Sat., Oct. 7, 2017) at UFC 216 from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Nik Lentz was removed from the preliminary scrap due to health issues sustained from a weight cut.

It was the first time Lentz has publicly encountered any trouble while trying to cut weight. The former featherweight was looking to make his fourth appearance at 155 pounds since returning to the division in 2015.

After his hospitalization and removal from UFC 216’s fight card, Lentz had the following to say in a revealing Twitter post:

While it appears as if Lentz’ condition was worse than initially expected, the 33-year-old isn’t going to get any sympathy from his UFC 216 opponent, who immediately took to Twitter yesterday to bash “The Carny.”

Cutting weight is becoming more and more dangerous as fighters try to drop major pounds in limited fashion. Heck, Kevin Lee nearly missed weight for his interim lightweight title fight with Tony Ferguson at UFC 216. Lentz is just the newest member of Team Pullout.

That said, we’re wishing the veteran a speedy and healthy recovery and hope he can make it back to the Octagon later this year. Maybe Brooks will stay off the schedule so UFC can re-book the lightweight affair.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 216 fight card, starting with the Fight Pass "Prelims" matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on FX at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET.