The stages were set, the crowd buzzing with anticipation, and a featherweight title fight was about to crown a new champion at the Levels Fight League’s main event in Utrecht. Former UFC hopeful Jarno Errens, a Dutchman with more grit than glory during his time inside the Octagon, was ready to seize gold on home turf. But the script flipped hard — not with a knockout or slick submission, but through the kind of weight miss so colossal it left fans scratching their heads and questioning the very sanity of matchmaking. Donovan Desmae, Errens’ Belgian challenger, allegedly blew past the featherweight limit by a jaw-dropping 22 pounds, forcing the bout’s cancellation and sending shockwaves through the MMA community.
This isn’t just any old tale of missing weight by a pound or two here and there. We’re talking about a discrepancy that throws the scales — and the integrity of the sport — into chaos. While fighters hammer their bodies with Reebok gear on and grind through punishing Fight Camp sessions to hit their marks, this kind of scandal begs the harsh question: what was Desmae actually thinking? His camp says the cancellation was for “medical reasons” and claims he was close to making weight, but that story doesn’t quite add up with the 10-kilogram slam dunk reported by the Levels Fight League promotion.
Jarno Errens, known more for his tough-as-nails tenacity than a highlight reel, had slowly clawed back from a rocky UFC tenure peppered with more losses than wins. His post-UFC win over Caio Machado looked like a stepping stone back to respectability, but now his shot at featherweight gold with Venom wraps and Hayabusa gloves was snatched away by an opponent whose weight management would make a cage fighter blush. The MMA world buzzes not just about the missed opportunity for Errens but what this colossal weight miss says about fighter professionalism and the matchmaking logic in 2025’s ever-evolving fight scene.
So buckle up as the saga unfolds — from chaotic weigh-ins that turned a title fight into a no-go, to the snide uproar on social media, to a deeper look at the repercussions this drama dumps on fighters, promotions, and fans alike. Expect raw analysis, sharp irony, and a dose of “did they really just do that?” moments traversing the fine line between fighter struggle and downright madness — all delivered with passion worthy of the cage’s unforgiving spotlight.
How Donovan Desmae’s colossal weight miss turned a featherweight title fight into a farce
In the ruthless world of MMA, hitting weight is more than a formality; it’s a sacred ritual that separates the warriors from the weekend warriors—and Donovan Desmae just rolled in wearing a clown suit. Missing weight by 22 pounds? That’s not a slip-up; it’s a belly flop of epic proportions that screams unprofessionalism as loud as a Hayabusa glove slap. Not just a bad look for the Belgian, it’s a direct hit to the event’s credibility and a slap in the face of Jarno Errens, who killed himself dieting down to make weight like clockwork.
To put this in perspective, the featherweight limit is capped at 145 pounds. To miss by nearly 22 pounds means stepping on the scale north of 167 pounds — flirting dangerously close to the welterweight division. It’s like rolling into a boxing match wearing MMA gloves and a football helmet, thinking you’ll catch everyone off guard. And fans weren’t shy about expressing their disbelief:
- “22 pounds? Did he even know what fight he signed up for?”
- “How do you miss weight by THAT much? Is this some comedy sketch?”
- “Last 4 fights at welterweight — what was the plan here? Fly under the radar?”
Desmae’s defenders argue that the Levels Fight League canceled the fight citing medical reasons, and that he was only about 6.6 pounds from making weight when the plug was pulled. A classic “I’m not the bad guy here” storyline trying to clean up a dumpster fire. But then, why post a 10-kilogram overshoot to the media? That’s the kind of discrepancy that can’t be brushed under the Reebok-branded rug or covered by tapout slogans. The smoke and mirrors routine doesn’t hold up well when the numbers scream foul.
Here’s what this colossal oversight tells us:
- Weight classes exist for a damn good reason: They ensure fairness, safety, and give fans a level playing field to appreciate skill and toughness. Blowing this by nearly 20 pounds defeats the entire purpose.
- Professionalism is more than just showing up wearing RDX Sports gear: It’s about discipline, respect, and honoring contracts — anything less shortchanges opponents and fights.
- Matchmakers must stop playing fast and loose with fighters’ natural weights: Booking someone recent at welterweight to fight for a featherweight title? Recipe for disaster.
Weight misses might not always end in fight cancellations — we’ve seen some fighters come in a few pounds over and still scrap after heftier fines — but to blow the scale by this much? That’s the stuff of legends, and not the good kind you brag about at the gym. It’s a vicious anticlimax that leaves everyone from fans to sponsors questioning how seriously MMA takes the physical toll it demands.
Historical context: biggest weight misses in MMA and UFC history
To truly grasp the monster Desmae allegedly dropped on the scale, a quick dive into past notorious blowouts offers some sobering perspective:
| Fighter | Weight Miss (lbs) | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danielle Koudou | 38 lbs over | Ares 23 (2024) | Fight canceled, rescheduled catchweight bout |
| Thiago Alves | 12 lbs over | UFC 85 | Still fought, fined 30% purse |
| Khamzat Chimaev | 8 lbs over | UFC 279 | Fight canceled, card reshuffled |
| Donovan Desmae (alleged) | 22 lbs over | Levels Fight League 18 (2025) | Fight canceled |
While Koudou’s miss at Ares 23 still reigns as an astounding disaster, Desmae’s reported slip slots him among the big dogs of weight misses, lampooning the serious weight-cutting culture that wraps fighters in tapout mentality and relentless dieting. The shame here is catching the eyes of promotions like Levels Fight League and others across Europe, where fighter professionalism should match the standards of big leagues such as UFC and Bellator.
And remember, behind the scenes, fighters bust their humps wearing equipment from Everlast to Pioneer, mastering every aspect of their game — from cage control to striking precision — only to be tripped up by a simple, yet all-important, weigh-in. The fallout isn’t just about one card being scrapped; it’s a message that readiness isn’t just about how savage your ground and pound is, but about how well you manage the basics.
What this fight cancellation means for Jarno Errens’ career and the Levels Fight League
Jarno Errens’ journey through MMA has been a grind marathon rather than a sprint. After opening on the world stage with Brave CF and catching the UFC’s reluctant eye in 2022, the Dutch featherweight flickered briefly under the bright lights before some clunky performances had the bosses cutting the chord. Losing three out of four fights, including a stoppage by Youssef Zalal, left Errens in the doghouse, but a recent win on the regional circuits via the Levels Fight League hinted at a second wind.
Being handed a title shot on home soil was supposed to be Errens’ shot at revival — a chance to wear the crown and maybe get a call back to UFC’s lofty cage. Instead, the fight was gone with the wind, thanks to Desmae’s weight drama. Errens’ frustration was palpable in the post-event interview, summing up the sentiment shared by many in the fight game:
- “I did my part professionally. He didn’t.”
- “Being on weight is part of the fight — not optional.”
- “Opportunities like this don’t come around often.”
For Errens, the cancellation deals a hefty blow not just to his wallet but to his momentum and confidence. Fighters live for these moments. Once you get a shot at gold, missing it isn’t like losing a round — it’s like losing the whole card. Errens now faces navigating the murky waters of rebuilding reputation with tapout mentality and forging another title path, all while the talk about his opponent’s unprofessionalism dominates headlines.
From the Levels Fight League’s perspective, this fiasco is a PR nightmare. Lending legitimacy to their rising status in the crowded MMA landscape takes a hit when headline fights go belly-up because of sloppy weight management. The promotion’s matchmaking is in the spotlight, with critics asking why they booked a fighter who spent recent fights north of the featherweight division for a title fight at 145 pounds. If Levels wants to carve a niche alongside juggernauts like UFC or even make waves in the same waters as Bellator or the bright stars covered on The Octagon Beat’s St-Pierre UFC matchmaking analysis, this is a lesson in vetting and professionalism.
Errens’ fight record and recent professional milestones
| Date | Opponent | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Caio Machado | Levels Fight League | Win (Decision) |
| 2023 | Youssef Zalal | UFC | Loss (TKO) |
| 2024 | Various (regional) | Multiple | Mixed results |
The cage fighter’s nightmare: weight cuts, professionalism, and the toll of making weight
Cutting weight in MMA isn’t just dropping a few pounds; it’s a high-stakes gamble with your body and sanity. Fighters endure brutal dehydration, starvation, all while staying sharp for the cage — strapped in Hayabusa gear, grinding at Fight Camp, and hammering techniques like striking and grappling from a blended playbook. Yet for some, managing this delicate dance becomes a nightmare that ends in disappointment for everyone involved.
Weight misses—even the modest ones—can be the difference between a paycheck or a pink slip. But when you blow a fight with a weight miss that dwarfs the usual “a pound or two,” it sends shockwaves. Look no further than the recent bout scuttled by Donovan Desmae’s alleged 22-pound miss, a glaring example of how quickly things can unravel.
- Physical toll: Fighters like Errens slashing their weight under extreme conditions, sometimes risking kidney failure or fainting curtains just to make a limit. Desmae’s miss hints at either a botched camp or a lack of control—neither sexy in the world of professional MMA.
- Psychological impact: The stress of cutting, combined with the shame and fallout from missing weight, dents fighter confidence and morale — turning warriors into wounded gladiators.
- Promotional ramifications: Canceling a bout shatters event plans, pisses off fans who shelled out for Reebok-wrapped memorabilia and tickets, and dents promoter credibility on the fly.
In a sport where a fighter’s ability to handle ground and pound or execute slick takedowns is idolized, the fundamentals of weight management remain a brutal, unforgiving gatekeeper. No Hayabusa or RDX Sports drill session can fix a fighter out of shape on fight week. And here’s where the old guard and new schools merge: respect for the art includes respect for weight discipline.
This recurring drama around weight woes is not unique to Europe or Levels Fight League. UFC fighters, including the likes analyzed on big stages like UFC 316, have faced it — with varying consequences. Paddy Pimblett’s rumored weight swings reported here only add fuel to the fire on how tricky managing these sums can get at the highest levels.
Key factors causing fighters to miss weight significantly
- Poor camp management: Coaches and nutritionists play a big role; if they drop the ball, fighters pay the price.
- Misjudging natural weight class: Fighters stepping too far down to chase titles against their natural physiology.
- Overconfidence or complacency: Thinking the cut will “just happen” without putting in the brutal prep work.
- Health crises during weight cut: Dehydration, salt imbalances, and related dangers forcing camps to call it off.
How weight controversies shape matchmaking, fighter reputations, and the fight business as a whole
When a fighter misses weight in a title bout, the effects ripple far beyond the scale. It’s not just a matter of inches lost; it’s reputational ruin, shaking trust with promoters, the fanbase, and sponsors who bankroll this brutal ballet. Donovan Desmae’s saga isn’t the first of its kind and won’t be the last — but it reinforces that in 2025, MMA can no longer afford these amateur hours.
Matchmakers now face a harder task. Remember the hype around the Bantamweight showdowns and the sharp eyes dissecting who’s legit and who’s stretching the rules? Fans want warriors who bring their A-game — not those who treat weight limits like suggestions. Book a guy who’s been at welterweight and try to dip him to featherweight? That’s matchmaking malpractice, plain and simple.
And look at reputations. Fighters get branded by these misses. “Unprofessional” stickers stick hard in MMA’s social media jungle. Sponsors with names like Everlast, Hayabusa, and Tapout don’t want their logos slapped on a walking weightlifting accident. Once that black mark lands, it’s a long climb back—and fans love to drag fighters through the mud faster than a ground-and-pound thunderstorm.
| Impact Area | Repercussions | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Matchmaking | Increased scrutiny on natural weights, stricter vetting | Levels Fight League 18 fallout, UFC 279 last-minute reshuffles |
| Fighter Reputation | Brand damage, loss of sponsors, fan backlash | Donovan Desmae case, Khamzat Chimaev missed weight saga |
| Promotion Business | PR crises, financial losses, event reshuffling | Levels Fight League’s canceled main event, UFC 85 controversy |
As MMA grows, so does its professionalism. Promoters like Levels Fight League have a chance to step out from the regional shadows, but they better tighten matchmaking like the grip of a cage fighter in ground and pound — no slip-ups allowed. And for fighters, the lesson is blunt: respect the process, respect the weight, or prepare for the kind of spectacular fails that echo through forums and social feeds for years.