CSAC Passes New Weight Cutting Rules

The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) unanimously passed a new 10 point weight cutting plan, which takes effect on June 15.

You can read the whole plan yourself by clicking here.

Here are the basics of the CSAC’s 10 point plan:

1. Fighters are required to first select the lowest weight class they can compete in, then speak with CSAC rep’s about changing weight classes down the line.
2. The fine for missing weight will now be 20% if the fighter's purse and all bonuses attached to the fight.
3. There’s going to be four new weight classes — 165 pounds, 175 pounds, 195 pounds and 225 pounds.
4. The CSAC will put stronger emphasis on fair fights for promotions according to a fighter’s history with weight cutting.
5. If a fighter misses weight more than one time, they will move up a weight class for future fights, a physician can clear the fighter to return to the original weight class after medicals are passed.
6. Early weigh-ins will continue with no changes at all.
7. Fighter’s will weigh in on the day of fights and if they gain more than 10% of their body weight back compared to the official weigh in the day before, then they will speak with a member of the CSAC about moving up a weight class.
8. Doctors will monitor fighters for re-hydration on the day of weigh-ins and on the day of the fight itself.
9. Participants in title fights will have weight checked 30 days and then 10 days from the fight.
10. Educating fighters on the weight cutting process will be handled by each promotion, with oversight from the CSAC.

CSAC Executive Officer Andy Foster had to say the following about the new weight cutting measures to MMA Fighting.

“The stakeholders were involved in this process,” Foster said. “I can say unequivocally that the promoters see this as a problem also. This is not just one-sided. This is a problem for them, this is a problem for the entire industry.” 

UFC 214 is going to be the first major MMA promotion to run an event under the new weigh-in rule set, that event takes place on July 29.