Fans tuning into this morning’s Rizin 8 event were notified that a women’s bout between Gabi Garcia and retired pro wrestler Shinobu Kandori was pulled from the card.
Garcia had missed weight by nearly 26 pounds for the fight against Kandori, which was set to take place at 209 pounds. Kandori weighed in at 162.25 pounds for the bout, which means that Garcia would’ve had a near 75 pound weight advantage if the bout had gone on.
Rizin officials allowed Garcia to come into the ring and apologize twice, once on her knees, for missing weight.
Fancy Combat posted the following videos on Twitter that show both of Garcia’s apologies:
Gabi Garcia #RIZINFF #RIZIN2017 pic.twitter.com/ot9gSlTSGm
— Fancy Combat (@FancyCombat) December 29, 2017
Seppuku #RIZINFF #RIZIN2017 pic.twitter.com/5kBrubILwn
— Fancy Combat (@FancyCombat) December 29, 2017
Here is a transcript of what Garcia said during her apology:
“I just say sorry about this. It’s first time this happened in my life, but (I had) problems three weeks before the fight. I think I recover but my first training here, my nose is with blood, and my blood pressure, I know (I had many problems cutting weight). I respect her, I respect my opponent, she’s a legend here. I’m so sad. I cry a lot. I need to say sorry for all my fans in Japan. I love you guys and sorry Sakakibara-san, Takada, sorry (Kandori) and I challenge you for next year, for a good weight. I hope you accept fight with me next year. I’m so sorry Japan. I love you guys and I’m back more strong than ever.”
This is the second time the bout was canned, but it was Kandori’s fault the first time after she suffered an injury week’s before the first encounter.
There is no word yet on whether or not the two will be paired again or go their separate ways.
