UFC Belfast heartbreak as Neil Seery’s retirement fight with Ian McCall is OFF

IRISH flyweight fan favourite Neil Seery’s swansong bout with Ian McCall is OFF.

The popular Dubliner was all set to take on the world-ranked flyweight contender in his final contest before hanging up his gloves.

But it was revealed that his opponent had been taken ill, forcing him off the fight card, leaving Seery without an opponent.

It’s a heartbreaking setback for Seery, who was all set for a dream finale to his career against former world title challenger McCall in Belfast this Saturday night.

He’d clearly already received the news when he took to the scale at the official early morning weigh-ins at the Clayton Hotel, as he said: “Always on the first time.”

And after stepping off the scale having made the 126lb flyweight limit, he tweeted: “Always a professional”.

It’s a crushing blow to McCall, too, as he was all set to make his first appearance inside the Octagon since January 2015.

The American is widely considered to be one of the very best flyweight fighters in the world, but has been plagued by injuries during his UFC career.

He told SunSport yesterday that he had put his injury woes behind him, but admitted that if he has to have another surgery, he’ll hang up his gloves, too. (warning, video contains strong language)

But a bad weight cut has forced him out of yet another contest as one of the most eagerly-anticipated bouts on the UFC Belfast card has fallen by the wayside.