Former BAMMA Middleweight Champion John Phillips confirmed to #WHOATV that a knee injury forced him from making the 185lbs weight limit, which ultimately led to his main event fight at #BAMMA26 being cancelled and the promotion stripping him of the belt.
+BREAKING NEWS+ John Phillips stripped of the MW Title & Main Event cancelled. New Main Event Rany Saadeh Vs Andy Young #BAMMA26 #Believe
— BAMMA (@BAMMA) September 9, 2016
Phillips who won the belt at BAMMA 24 was scheduled to make his first Title defence against the BAMMA Lonsdale Middleweight Champion Andy DeVent, but Phillips weighed 198.2lbs on the scales.
He was given an hour to cut down further but was unable to shed anymore weight due to a knee injury he sustained during his fight camp.
Phillips confirmed to #WHOATV that whilst he was disappointed he was more upset at all the people he had let down including his team and fans;
I bust my knee up pretty bad in camp, just one of them things. I was hoping that some how I’d still be able to make weight as I didn’t want to disappoint everyone by just pulling out. So my plan was that I was going to give it my best to make weight but unfortunately it was not to be. I’m gutted for everyone more than my self feel like I’ve let everyone down.
The undisclosed knee injury that stopped Phillips from cutting weight is serious, albeit he hopes that he will be able to heal it without undertaking any surgery which would sideline him for up to 12 months.
I’m trying to avoid surgery and still keep fighting otherwise I’ll be out for a year with recovery time and that’s a massive gamble to take if it’s doesn’t go to plan.