The official weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. Chris Duncan have concluded, but not without some drama at the Meta APEX.
While the main and co-main events are locked in, three fighters, including Rafael Estevam, missed weight.
Estevam Misses Weight Again
Rafael Estevam, an undefeated prospect, weighed in at 136.5 pounds for his bantamweight fight against Ethyn Ewing. This put him half a pound over the limit.
It’s the third time Estevam has failed to make weight in four UFC appearances. He previously missed weight twice at 135 pounds and once while fighting at 125 pounds.
Estevam admitted to prioritising training over the cut following a four-pound weight miss in August 2025, stating, “You have to either prepare yourself or focus on the weight.”
Despite his undefeated record of 14-0, this latest blunder threatens to derail his career momentum.
The bout will still be fought as a catchweight contest. Estevam will forfeit 20 percent of his fight purse to his opponent as a penalty.
He faces Ethyn Ewing, who defeated Malcolm Wellmaker in his only UFC fight.
Moicano vs Duncan Main Event Set
Renato Moicano and Chris Duncan both successfully weighed in at 156 pounds. The two will now square off in a five-round lightweight main event.
The co-main event is also set, with Virna Jandiroba and Tabatha Ricci hitting their marks at 116 and 115.5 pounds, respectively. Both fighters remain in the title conversation in the strawweight division.
Other Weigh-In Issues
Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev initially weighed 207 pounds, one pound over the limit, though he later returned and successfully shed the extra weight.
Darrius Flowers also missed weight, coming in a half-pound over the lightweight limit at 156.5 pounds. Like Estevam, Flowers’ fight will proceed at a catchweight with a 20 percent fine.
Flowers faces the possibility of being cut from the promotion if he loses to Lando Vannata on Saturday. He has three defeats and zero wins in the UFC.
With weigh-ins complete, all eyes are now on Saturday’s card.