Renowned Muay Thai fighter Liam Harrison has publicly criticized ONE Championship following a contentious situation related to the weigh-in process that resulted in his withdrawal from the ONE 167 event. Despite his reputation for professionalism, Harrison was forced to pull out of his anticipated comeback bout due to an issue with the scales, leaving his supporters puzzled.
Having been sidelined for an extended period due to injury, Harrison was eager to make his comeback at ONE 167. However, complications arose during the weigh-in when he was found to exceed the weight limit for the featherweight division. Despite having successfully passed a hydration test earlier that day, Harrison was unexpectedly deemed overweight by a representative from the promotion at the official weigh-in.
Sharing his side of the story online, Harrison highlighted the physical impossibility of gaining three pounds in weight in the short time between the two weigh-ins, especially after consuming only a minimal amount of water. He expressed disappointment and frustration with the handling of the situation and pointed out the absence of an apology or acknowledgment from ONE Championship regarding the error.
In light of the controversy, Harrison opted to withdraw from the ONE 167 event and forfeit his scheduled bout against Japanese fighter Katsuki Kitano. His decision was motivated by concerns for his health and the perceived unjust circumstances surrounding the weigh-in incident, underscoring that he had adhered to all protocols leading up to the fight.
Harrison reassured his followers of his intention to resume competing under equitable conditions and thanked them for their unwavering support. While he will not be part of ONE 167, Harrison is eagerly anticipating a significant matchup in September against Saeksan Or Kwanmuang.
