Tom Aspinall was cheered by fans as he weighed in heavier than Ciryl Gane before the pair’s heavyweight title fight at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Manchester’s Aspinall weighed 255lb (18st 3lb), which was 7.5lb heavier than Frenchman Gane’s 247.5lb (17st 9.5lb).
While the 32-year-old was serenaded by “Tommy Aspinall” chants throughout, Gane was greeted by boos as he stepped on the scales.
The pair continued to show respect to each other during a rapid 10-second face-off, as they have throughout fight week, by ending it with a smile towards each other.
Aspinall, who was pumped up in front of fans at the Etihad Arena, is making the first defence of his undisputed heavyweight title since being upgraded from interim champion in June.
“This is going to be a very special performance guys, make sure you tune in, this is big,” he said.
Gane was his usual calm self and appeared unbothered by the boos, before delivering a short message.
“Very glad to be here guys, see you Saturday, thank you,” he said.