Longtime UFC veteran Dennis Hallman (51-14-2 MMA, 4-5 UFC) is already on his way back home to Washington, but it's not with empty pockets.
After missing weight for a planned UFC on FX 5 matchup with Brazilian grappler Thiago Tavares (17-4-1 MMA, 7-4-1 UFC), a bout that UFC officials ultimately elected to scrap before either fighter ever stepped on the scale, Hallman said he has been paid his show and win money for the bout but has also been released from the promotion.
"I am on my way home," Hallman told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "I have some serious personal family matters that I am dealing with. That is why the fight isn't taking place."
Initial reports suggested Hallman was as much as seven pounds overweight at today's official weigh-in ceremonies. Multiple sources close to the fighter indicated that was not the case but declined to reveal Hallman's exact weight when the bout was scrapped.
Hallman also missed weight at this past December's UFC 140 event, when he weighed 158.5 pounds for a fight with Canadian John Makdessi. That bout went on as a catchweight contest, and Hallman earned a submission win in the opening round.
He was then expected to compete at this past May's UFC on FOX 3 event, but an injury forced him out of the bout. The UFC on FX 5 contest would have been his first of 2012.
After the multiple infractions, "Superman" said he was released from the promotion but was compensated for his time in Minnesota.
"Dana White paid me my show and win purse and put me on a plane to Seattle to deal with the issues at home," Hallman said.
Tavares' manager, Alex Davis, is currently in Brazil and was not immediately available for comment. A request by MMAjunkie.com for comment from White was not immediately returned.
UFC on FX 5 takes place Friday at Minneapolis' Target Center. The evening's main card airs on FX following prelims on FUEL TV and Facebook.
Source: UFC on FX 5's Dennis Hallman released, paid show money and win bonus