Michael Hill releases statement following WSOF 14 cancelled fight

Michael Hill was expected to take on Marcus Hicks at this past weekends WSOF 14 event in Edmonton, Alberta. However after Hicks failed to make weight, the fight was cancelled.

MMASucka.com obtained the following exclusive statement from Hill.

“To my family, friends, and fans:

I am sorry that my fight versus Marcus Hicks scheduled for Saturday was cancelled.  I wanted nothing more than to come to Edmonton, where the fans have always been great to me, demonstrate my growth as a martial artist, and do what I often do: Put on a fight of the night performance!  After working so hard to prepare for this special night, I am disappointed that I was not able to perform.  My fans deserve an explanation, and that is why I am making this statement.  I would have issued an explanation earlier, but I wanted to wait until after the show.  The great athletes who trained long and hard deserved the fans’ full attention on Saturday. 

This was a difficult and stressful camp for me.  The people close to me knew what I was going through personally.  On top of that, I faced five opponent changes and said yes to every single one.  I moved from the main card to the preliminary card without complaint, even after having faced top opponents like Joel Powell, Ryan Ford, and Ryan Dickson, and winning “Fight of the Night” each time.  I love fighting and am grateful to the WSOF for providing me with the opportunity to do so.  Although I was reluctant to accept a fight against Hick’s (he has a reputation for missing weight and acting unprofessionally), I agreed to fight him at a catch weight of 175 lbs.  And I was prepared to fight Marcus.

During fight week, Marcus treated me with a lack of respect.  On media day, he started with his “loud mouth” antics using words that I won’t repeat.  We asked whether he was on weight and were told that he was.  However, Marcus was late to the weigh in and was freaking out about something.  He left the room and returned later looking like he had given up.  There were other fighters still trying to work off the last few.  Marcus approached me full of energy, with a big smile on his face , and said that he was 2lbs off and asked if that was cool.  I said that this had never happened to me before and that i assume we talk to the commission.  I was extremely disappointed. 

We got on the scales and he missed weight.  Marcus came at me with a head ram, and told me that he’s going to kill me.  Shortly after, as I was talking the situation over with my coach and team, Marcus was yelling at me again with words i won’t repeat, and acting in a way that I considered embarrassing.  I felt that he was disrespecting me and disrespecting the entire sport.  I told Darren Owen and the WSOF that I was not going to fight Marcus.  This is what I said:

I am a professional athlete.  I have and always will act like one.  I have never missed weight or turned down a professional fight.  I look around this room, see that I am surrounded by warriors, and am honoured to be on Edmontons best card with such amazing athletes.  Marcus is not like me or these other professional athletes.  I will not be associated with him.  I am choosing to do what is best for my team and my career. 

I am a big welterweight.  I walk around at 205 lbs.  I know how hard it is to make weight, but I always get it done.  I would not accept a fight if I could not make weight.  If you’re a teacher , you don’t go to work forgetting your students homework.  If you’re a carpenter, you don’t go to work without your tool belt.  If you’re a professional fighter, with over 40 professional fights you don’t go to work overweight.  I went through the same process as Marcus, but he still had the last and toughest 1.5 lbs to cut.  He wanted to fight me heavier and less drained because he was lazy or unprepared?  A fighter like that does not deserve to fight me.   

I love martial arts.  It is who I am.  It has changed my life in many positive ways and continues to do so.  I am constantly growing and becoming a better young man and fighter every day.   I can’t wait to step into the cage again.  I am always training and looking forward to the next test.

My team and I are looking for a fight before the end of the year.  We are working hard and trust me when I say that you will see a lot of me in 2015!  Thank you for your continued love and support.

Michael Hill”

Hill (7-2) is riding a two-fight winning streak, with victories over Richard Arsenault and Ryan Dickson. Both those victories came under the WSOF banner.

Keep it locked to MMASucka.com for more on Michael Hill and WSOF as it arises.