Bellator 201 fight night weights: Nine fighters come in 10 percent or more above weight class

A fighter came in well over the recommended fight-night weight at Bellator 201 on Friday night, per the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).

Andy Murad weighed in Friday at 199.4 pounds — 16.6 percent over the contracted welterweight division, according to a commission document obtained by MMA Fighting. Murad weighed in Thursday morning at 170.8 pounds. Nine fighters in total at Bellator 201 came in above 10 percent of their weight class on fight night, including Valerie Letourneau and title challenger Alejandra Lara.

Letourneau, a UFC veteran who has fought at bantamweight and strawweight, weighed in at 126 pounds Thursday morning and came into the fight at 140.3, a difference of 11.3 percent. Lara gained back 10.6 percent, going from 124.6 to 138.

Murad lost to Ed Ruth by second-round TKO. Letourneau defeated Kristina Williams by unanimous decision and Lara fell to women’s flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane by third-round submission.

Per rules that were passed last year, CSAC can recommend any fighter who comes in over that 10-percent mark on fight night to move up to the next division.

CSAC executive officer Andy Foster told MMA Fighting on Friday that he plans on making fight-night weights public moving forward.

After Murad, the next biggest weight difference at Bellator 201 was Jay Jay Wilson, who gained back 11.8 percent after weigh-ins, going from 146 pounds to 163.2 pounds.

Main card

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (125 to 137 = 9.5%) def. Alejandra Lara (124.6 to 138 = 10.6%)

Saad Awad (159.8 to 172.8 = 8.1%) def. Ryan Couture (159.9 to 175 = 9.4%)

Valerie Letourneau (126 to 140.3 = 11.3%) def. Kristina Williams (125.4 to 138.5 = 10.4%)

Juan Archuleta (146 to 162 = 11%) def. Robbie Peralta (145.3 to 160.4 = 10.3%)

Prelims

Ed Ruth (171 to 180 = 5.3%) def. Andy Murad (170.8 to 199.4 = 16.6%)

Joey Davis (170.6 to 184.2 = 8%) def. Craig Plaskett (168.2 to 178.4 = 4.3%)

Tyrell Fortune (244.8 to 245 = .08%) def. Giovanni Sarran (251.8 to 252.5 = .27%)

Postlims

Jordan Young (204.8 to 212.5 = 3.7%) def. Jamal Pogues (203.7 to 216.4 = 6.2%)

Keri Melendez (116 to 126 = 8.6%) def. Tiani Valle (114.5 to 124.4 = 7.2%)

Ricky Furar (134.5 to 146.9 = 8%) def. Victor Rosas (135.3 to 144.5 = 6.3%)

Jay Jay Wilson (146 to 163.2 = 11.8%) def. David Conte (145.6 to 148 = 1.4%)

Joshua Jones (155.5 to 170 = 10.9%) def. Jacob Rosales (155.7 to 172.5 = 10.6%)