KSW 122 weigh-in: the title fight is official, 3 fighters miss weight and lose a point before they even fight
The KSW 122 weigh-in took place this Friday morning in Rzeszow. Bantamweight champion Vitalii Yakymenko and challenger Marcello Morelli each came in at 61.2 kg, exactly on the limit: the title fight is on for Saturday. 3 other fighters came in over the limit for their division. Each loses part of his purse and will start his fight with a point deduction.
Key takeaways
- Vitalii Yakymenko and Marcello Morelli each weighed 61.2 kg: the KSW 122 bantamweight title fight is official for Saturday, October 10 in Rzeszow.
- Sergiusz Zajac (97.6 kg for a 95 limit), Laid Zerhouni (85.5 kg for 84.3) and Adam Soldaev (71.7 kg for 70.8) missed weight.
- They lose 50%, 40% and 30% of their purse, and each will start his fight a point down.
KSW 122 weigh-in: the bantamweight title is on the line
The main event
Vitalii Yakymenko (11-2) and Marcello Morelli (8-4) each weighed 61.2 kg, the division limit, Sport1.pl and Lowking.pl report. The bantamweight belt will therefore be at stake on Saturday at Hala Podpromie.
A 1st defense
Yakymenko won the title in February against Sebastian Przybysz. This is his 1st defense. He told InTheCage.pl that he is not underestimating Morelli, a good wrestler in his view, who has had 3 months to prepare.
Back where it started
The champion recalls that he made his debut in Rzeszow, with a round 3 KO win. He promises an important announcement if he wins, without saying more.
3 fighters over the limit, 3 penalties
Sergiusz Zajac
The light heavyweight weighed 97.6 kg for a 95 limit, 2.6 kg over. He loses 50% of his purse and a point. His opponent is Salim El Ouassaidi.
Laid Zerhouni
The Frenchman came in at 85.5 kg for an 84.3 limit. He loses 40% of his purse and a point before facing Andrzej Grzebyk.
Adam Soldaev
The lightweight weighed 71.7 kg for a 70.8 limit, 0.9 kg over. He loses 30% of his purse and a point. He faces Mateusz Makarowski, who made weight at 70.8 kg.
It is true that winning a belt is hard, but defending it, especially the 1st time, is even harder.
What a point deduction changes
A real handicap
A 3-round fight is often decided by a single point on the judges’ cards. Starting a point down means having to win clearly, or finish inside the distance.
The rest of the card
The other main card fighters made weight, including Marian Ziolkowski and Wilson Varela, who meet in a rematch, according to Sport1.pl.
Follow the card
KSW 122 takes place on Saturday, October 10 in Rzeszow. The fighters’ profiles and records are in the FightHub app.
- Yakymenko vs Morelli becomes the KSW 122 main event: Masaev injured, Bartosiński moved to KSW 123
- Nell Ariano fights for a UFC contract tonight: the unbeaten Parisian meets Preston LaGrange on the Contender Series
- UFC Vegas 122: Saturday’s full card, 12 fights and 2 changes around Allen vs Duncan
- Jungle Fight 155: 3 belts on the line this Saturday in Niterói for the Brazilian promotion’s 23rd anniversary
