Bellator 237 weigh-in results: Lorenz Larkin misses, commission recommends weight class change

Lorenz Larkin missed weight for his latest fight and his days at welterweight could be over.

On Friday, “The Monsoon” weighed in at 173.5 pounds for his welterweight bout with Keita Nakamura at Bellator 237 in Saitama, Japan, 2.5 pounds over the welterweight limit (including one-pound allowance). The bout will proceed as scheduled with Larkin being fined 20 percent of his purse.

This is the first time in Larkin’s career that he has missed weight, including nine previous appearances at 170 pounds. Prior to 2015, he had competed at both middleweight and light heavyweight, scoring a notable win over Robbie Lawler in July 2012.

As is standard for international Bellator events, Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulations commissioner Mike Mazzulli is on hand to oversee Saturday’s show and he told reporters that it is his recommendation that Larkin either return to the middleweight division in the future or be cleared by a physician before attempting the drop to 170 pounds again (with the added clause that Larkin not weigh more than 187 pounds at the start of a fight week). According to Mazzulli, California State Athletic Commission Executive Director Andy Foster may have previously discussed this change with Larkin, whose last bout took place in Temecula, Calif.

MMA Fighting has reached out to Foster for further comment.

Larkin enters Saturday’s bout on a three-fight win streak and had mentioned his plans to rematch welterweight champion Douglas Lima. The two fought at Bellator NYC in June 2017, with Lima winning a five-round unanimous decision.

Also missing weight was Goiti Yamauchi, who came in at 157.8 pounds, almost two pounds over the lightweight limit. Yamauchi will be fined 20 percent of his purse and his bout with Daron Cruickshank will proceed as scheduled.

With additional reporting by Esther Lin.