Jesse Ronson says he was forced to withdraw from UFC 231 for being ‘too heavy’

Jesse Ronson will not be making his UFC return this weekend.

The 32-year-old Ontario native was scheduled to replace John Makdessi against Diego Ferreirathis Saturday at UFC 231 in Toronto, but it appears that the short-notice call-up (which was reported just last Tuesday) may have left Ronson ill-prepared to cut weight for the 155-pound affair.

On Tuesday, Ronson announced via Facebook that he has been ruled “too heavy to safely make the weight” for the Ferreira bout and that it appears to have cost him his deal with the UFC:

“Unfortunately, my fight this Saturday at [UFC 231] is off,” Ronson wrote. “I was too heavy to safely make the weight and perform, so they pulled it. Ultimately, better for my health, but shitty I lost my UFC deal.”

Ronson (19-8) added that he could end up fighting for Montreal’s TKO Major League MMA promotion next, or possibly head over to Asia to sign with Rizin Fighting Federation or ONE Championship.

“Who knows right now?” he wrote. “I’m gutted and would like to apologize to everyone at the UFC and all those who supported me.”

This would have been Ronson’s second run with the UFC. He originally signed with the promotion back in September 2013, but failed to pick up a win in three Octagon appearances before being released. He fought Kevin Lee, Francisco Trinaldo, and Michel Prazeres, losing to all three by split decision.

“The Body Snatcher” then went 6-3 competing in Canada and the United Arab Emirates before signing on for the short-notice opportunity at UFC 231.