Willian Souza 10 pounds over weight, NAC cancels bantamweight DWCS co-headliner vs. Farid Basharat

The DWCS Season 6: Week 1 co-headliner between Willian Souza and Farid Basharat has been cancelled after Souza came in 10 pounds over the maximum weight allowed for a non-title bantamweight fight.

The Nevada Athletic Commission called off the bout per its rules on weight overages, which forbids weight differences of more than nine pounds for fighters between 135-147 pounds, NAC Executive Director Jeff Mullen told MMA Fighting during the official weigh-ins for Tuesday’s fight card at UFC APEX in Las Vegas.

Souza’s miss was the biggest in DWCS history; the previous record for weight overage was dubiously held by Victor Reyna, who came in seven pounds over for a 2019 Contender Series bout with Miguel Baeza.

Souza released a statement on social media revealing he had already cut 36 pounds before the weigh-ins.

“Unfortunately, my fight was cancelled," Souza wrote in Portuguese. "I fell ill during the weight cut and couldn’t reach the limit of the division. I had already cut 36 pounds but fell ill in the final stretch, with 10 pounds left. Today was not a good day, but it doesn’t end here. I would like to thank everyone who helped me get here, especially Wallid Ismail, who helped me in everything I needed and all the support for this fight, my coaches at Team Figueiredo, and my family and friends, who have been 100 percent by my side during this war. The dream was only postponed and screw those who are against me.”

The DWCS Season 6: Week 1 is now down to four total bouts.

Souza hoped to earn a UFC contract on the strength of a long winning streak on the international circuit; he hasn’t lost a fight since his 2017 debut, winning 11 straight.

Bashrat is undefeated in eight pro bouts, winning six by stoppage.

Here is the current full DWCS Season 6: Week 1 card and official weigh-in results:

• Ozzy Diaz (186) vs. Joe Pyfer (185)
• Farid Basharat (136) vs. Willian Souza (146)*
• Anton Turkalj (205) vs. Acacio dos Santos (201)
• Dennis Buzukja (146) vs. Kaleio Romero (146)
• Alessandro Costa (126) vs. Andres Luna Martinetti (126)

* Souza vs. Basharat cancelled