There was a huge controversy yesterday surrounding Gabi Garcia and her 53-year old RIZIN opponent. She missed weight for their bout, but not just by a couple of pounds. The contractually agree weight for the fight with former pro-wrestler Shinobu Kandori was 209.4 pounds. Garcia missed weight by 26.5 pounds. Needless to say, Kandori felt disrespected and lost it in front of media. The fight was eventually called off, but last night in RIZIN, the two fighters were brought into the ring to make statements. The entire show stopped as Garcia, tears in her eyes, took to her knees to plead the Japanese people to forgive her.
“I had problems three weeks before the fight and I thought I recovered. My first training here, my nose is with blood and my blood pressure. I know this time I no cut weight because I’m with many problems. I respect [Shinobu Kandori] I respect my opponent. She’s a legend here and I’m so sad. I cry a lot because this is the first time I no enter for this space. I need to say sorry for all my fans in Japan. I love you guys. Sorry [Nobuyuki] Sakakibara-san, [Nobuhiko] Takada, sorry [Kandori] and I challenge you for next year for the weight.”
“This has happened first time. If you need fight with me, 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. I’m so sorry. Thank you Japan. I’m sorry and this is all my fault. Please. Look for me next year. I’ll be back more strong than ever and everybody has more problems in the life. I’m normal girl. I’m human and please, I respect you guys. I love fighting here. I’m so sorry Japan. This is my fault and I love you guys.” — Gabi Garcia addressing the RIZIN crowd in the ring last night.
While English is Gabi Garcia’s second language, it seems like she was having some health problems and wasn’t able to cut her weight down to the the agreed upon limit. It was a strange display that made silence sweep over the crowd. She seemed genuinely upset at what happened and profusely apologized to her opponent, employers and the Japanese fight fans. No word on what will be next for Garcia, or if they will entertain trying to put on this fight again.
This article first appeared onBJPenn.comon 12/29/2017.
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If things had gone according to plan, Brazilian grappling star Gabi Garcia would have returned to the Rizin FF ring on December 29, when she was scheduled to battle 53-year-old pro-wrestling veteran Shinobu Kandori.
