Weighting game for big Ben
FORMER UFC welterweight contender Ben Alloway’s return to the ring almost went horribly wrong on the weekend as the 34-year-old failed to make weight.
Alloway beat Tristan Murphy of Slacks Creek by technical knockout in the second round but the result was not without controversy.
The Eternal MMA welterweight title was initially up for grabs if Alloway defeated Murphy but when the Gold Coaster came in 1.9kg overweight on Friday the belt was taken off the table.
Alloway said he was happy with his result regardless and believes that his best chance at getting noticed ahead of the UFC’s next Australian fight card in November is to chalk up exciting wins via stoppage.
But Alloway made no excuses when questioned about being over the weight.
The truck driver admitted the oversight could have cost him the fight.
“I think just 12 months out (of the sport), I just missed the weight cut,” he said.
“I didn’t water load enough, just didn’t monitor it enough and got too dry before I got down to weight.
“It was 100 per cent all my fault.”
Alloway said he was happy with his result and will now head to Coffs Harbour to spend time with his parents before looking for his next fight.
“I was able to finish it on the feet which was what I was planning to do,” he said.
“(A finish was) definitely paramount at this point in time, career-wise.”
Meanwhile, up-and-coming bantamweight Reece McLaren backed up his reputation as one of Australia’s brightest young talents by defeating Townsville’s Ed Arana by kimura submission in Round 1.
The win has helped McLaren in his quest for title fights on the Australian scene.
I didn’t water load enough, just didn’t monitor it enough and got too dry before I got down
to weight
BEN ALLOWAY