MMA fighter Pearl Gonzalez was set to make her UFC debut at UFC 210 on Saturday, but she has been pulled from the event one day before she was scheduled to climb into the Octagon. Why?
Breast implants.
According to MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, Gonzalez was informed on Friday by the New York State Athletic Commission that she will not be permitted to fight Cynthia Calvillo because she has breast implants.
Gonzalez made weight on Friday morning, and she was given the bad news shortly thereafter. She appears to have passed all of her medical exams prior to that, so it’s unclear why the issue arose so close to the actual fight. Marc Raimondo of MMAFighting.com says female fighters with breast implants have competed in New York before, but the rules clearly state that it is not permitted.
“Due to the concern over rupture, boxers who have breast implants are not eligible to box in New York,” the medical standard for the NYSAC reads. “Boxers who have had breast reduction surgeries are eligible to box.”
Rules are rules, but the timing is certainly unfortunate.
More must-reads: