Today, August 19, 2025, it became final: the fight between Nursultan Ruziboev and Bryan Battle at UFC 319 did not take place. The American badly missed the middleweight limit, which led the promotion to cancel the matchup after the official morning weigh-ins.
Weight — The Main Opponent
Battle weighed in at 190 pounds — four pounds over the division’s non-title limit. Ruziboev, by contrast, made the required 186 pounds but was left without an opponent and, as a result, without a fight in Chicago. The UFC acted quickly: the pairing was removed from the card the same day.
“I’m Very Sorry”: Battle’s Apology
After the cancellation, Battle approached Ruziboev in person and apologized publicly — the episode was captured on video and spread across industry media. The apology did not change the outcome: the matchup was canceled, and the American’s career took another hit due to weight-cutting issues.
The Chicago Card and Fallout
UFC 319 was held at United Center; the promotion weathered several reshuffles, yet the event retained its status as a major summer showcase. The removal of Ruziboev vs. Battle became one of the weekend’s notable storylines for the middleweight division.
Ruziboev: A Steady Rise in the UFC
The Uzbek middleweight has been building momentum in the promotion since 2023. In May, he secured a convincing unanimous-decision win over Dustin Stoltzfus, adding a fourth UFC victory to his record. The result underscored his form and readiness for ranked opposition — which makes the Chicago cancellation all the more frustrating.
What’s Next
For Ruziboev, the priority is an immediate reset: quickly booking a new opponent and maintaining an active schedule in the top promotion. Given he made weight and is coming off a recent run of success, it’s reasonable to expect his return to the Octagon on fall cards. For the organization, a closer watch on problematic weight cuts is essential so such cancellations less often impact the spectacle and reputation of its events.
