The California State Athletic Commission has made a huge decision on a rule that could change combat sports, by regulating weight cutting.
The CSAC decided that fights will be cancelled if a competitor weighed more than 15% above their contracted fight weight the day of the event. The rule passed unanimously 5-0.
The rule is supposed to stop fighters from cutting too much water weight before a fight which happens from severe dehydration. Once they make weight, fighters will gain the weight back the next day. ESPN reports on average MMA fighters gain 8-18% of their weight back before a fight. An example of this would be a welterweight agreeing to fight at 171 pounds and making weight, the. The next day gaining the weight back and fighting at 195.4 pounds. If this rule was in effect this summer UFC 241 would’ve called off 3 fights.
There are also negatives to this new rule change. Having this rule doesn’t account for athletes having different body types The 15% rule could stop fighters from fully rehydrating. This rule will also cause fighters to potentially have to cut weight two days in a row, this would be a huge health concern.
The committee ultimately is creating this rule to have a better competitive balance in the sports. They want promoters and matchmakers to have fighters fighting closer to their natural weight class. The potential of a canceled fight will keep matchmakers from scheduling risky fights.
There is sure to be a learning curve for the sport and the athletes when this rule gets going. I’m sure there will be a big fight in the future called off on this technicality.
Flip the page to see a interview from Joanna Jedrzejczyk on a weight cutting scare.