Proposed weight cut solution

[drewbacca71]

Step 1: First official weigh-in performed by independent firm must occur the day fight contract is signed (published for transparency to the media)
Step 2: Random training camp 'unofficial' weigh-ins done (using lightweight professional, calibrated scales), only for fighters signed for an upcoming fight. Only weight-flagged fighters will need arrangements for immediate re-weigh on 'official' large scale pre-calibrated nearby (white-glove remote shipment when fight contract is signed?)
Step 3: Fight night weigh-in as usual
Step 4: Existing class belt champions and contender status move up one (i.,e Heavyweight champ becomes Superheavyweight), since UFC may not adjust the weights themselves.
Step 5: Contract and random weigh-ins results may never be greater than new UFC defined 'pre-fight' training camp weight limits as defined below (suggestions?)

• 
  Strawweight 115 lb (52.2 kg) -> 120
  Flyweight 125 lb (56.7 kg) -> 130
  Bantamweight 135 lb (61.2 kg) -> 140
  Featherweight 145 lb (65.8 kg) -> 150
  Lightweight 155 lb (70.3 kg) -> 160
  Welterweight 170 lb (77.1 kg) -> 180 (up 10 vs 5)
  Middleweight 185 lb (83.9 kg) -> 195
  Light heavyweight 205 lb (93.0 kg) -> 215
  Heavyweight 265 lb (120.2 kg) - 280 (up 15 vs 10)

Step 6: Failed contract weigh-ins result in ineligibility for any contract of that weight class for at least two months (no other penalties)
Step 7: Failed random weigh-in (again only for fighters under signed upcoming fights) result in normal fight week weight-in penalties (loss of purse, etc)
Step 8: If one fighter is over and the other is under, a catch-weight may be offered

This new policy (1) will allow existing champions and contenders to achieve the new limits tested randomly during training camp or decide to move up to a class they can achieve, (2) prevent 'gaming' future weigh-ins and (3) allow fighters in compliance to agree to catch-weight negotiations far in advance of fight week, preventing an unnecessary weight cut.

 

[Which Doctor]

Step 1:

...
...

 

[FrontNakedChoke]

"drewbacca"

Anyways, you suggest some good ideas.

I personally think they should ban weight cut via dehydration as well.

 

[neomage2021]

That wont fucking work. A normal human's weight fluctuates between 3 -8 lbs a day. You can easily weight more than 5+lbs over the contracted weight if you just drank a bunch of water and they make you weigh in or its in the evening after you have had a bunch of meals.

Your weight is also going to naturally fluctuate at various parts of the fight camp

 

[Philtard]

I think they should also do enemas and taking fighters blood.

The best way to cut weight is to donate 4 pints of blood.

 

[billharford]

forced amputation of digits should figure in there somewhere

 

[drewbacca71]

"drewbacca"

Anyways, you suggest some good ideas.

I personally think they should ban weight cut via dehydration as well.

Gold standard Dehydration detection can't distinguish between water loss over a week, a month or a single day unfortunately.

 

[drewbacca71]

That wont fucking work. A normal human's weight fluctuates between 3 -8 lbs a day. You can easily weight more than 5+lbs over the contracted weight if you just drank a bunch of water and they make you weigh in or its in the evening after you have had a bunch of meals.

Your weight is also going to naturally fluctuate at various parts of the fight camp

The weight fluctuation fact you cite will become a key consideration by training coaches, fighters and staff to determine which weight class is most achievable. Hard choices will need to be made, as you imply.

 

[drewbacca71]

That wont fucking work. A normal human's weight fluctuates between 3 -8 lbs a day. You can easily weight more than 5+lbs over the contracted weight if you just drank a bunch of water and they make you weigh in or its in the evening after you have had a bunch of meals.

Your weight is also going to naturally fluctuate at various parts of the fight camp

Also, the new training camp limits are maximums, so the fluctuation is an assessment they are well aware of when predicting a fight night weight goal.

 

[podsox]

Random weigh ins in and out of competition . Have to be within 20 pounds of your division at all times. I think it's fair

 

[drewbacca71]

Random weigh ins in and out of competition . Have to be within 20 pounds of your division at all times. I think it's fair

Agree, hard choices will have to made, but the UFC can help prevent the dangerous effects of dehydration by coming up with something similar here, while embracing the existing random testing already in play, IMO.

 

[drewbacca71]

The idea we as fans and fighters should be promoting is the idea that your training weight should be much closer to your fight weight. The tradition of seeking advantage by dehydration and strict dieting is not in the best interests of fighter health, IMO. We have become accustomed to hallowed out, ripped fighters and that should not be the visual standard of what a fighter should look like. The fighting physique of Fedor comes to mind as a much healthier standard. This may even help discourage some steroid use for purposes of body fat reduction(?), imo.

 

[lostdog000]

for every pound over, 10% of purse goes to opponent

 

[jeff7b9]

Make the fucking weight or don't fight and pay the other fighters purse yourself, put it in the contract like that.

Pull out 2x during fight week and go to Bellator.

 

[0-1]

Keep the normal weigh in's but also weigh everybody in as they step into the cage at the door live on TV, Let the world see who the weight bully's are and let the stigma of being a weight bully be known, Any fighter who wants his legacy respected should think twice about coming in 20+lbs heaver than his opponents. The fan's need to let these fighters know weight bullies are not respected and demand they move up. If they started broadcasting fight night weights live as they step in the cage and some guy's are consistently coming super heavy 20lbs more than their opponent, they will get called out by the fans.

 

[linvillegorge]

The only solution is to make the risk far more severe than the possible benefit. Right now, the risk of missing weight is relatively minor. Pay a small penalty and still be able to foght while enjoying a size advantage. Win and the UFC basically acts like nothing ever happened. The UFC and the athletic commissions have no one to blame but themselves. They've crewted an environment where the potential reward outweighs the potential risk. They have to flip that situation around or we'll keep seeing weight misses on practically every fight card. Make the penalties severe enough that no one wants to risk missing weight. That's the only real solution.

 

[Fergelmince]

Step 1: First weigh-in performed by independent firm must occur the day fight contract is signed (published for transparency to the media)
Step 2: Random training camp weigh-ins done during the unannounced USADA PED tests, only for fighters signed for an upcoming fight and preferably on the same day (is this feasible?)
Step 3: Fight night weigh-in as usual
Step 4: Existing class belt champions and contender status move up one (i.,e Heavyweight champ becomes Superheavyweight), since UFC may not adjust the weights themselves.
Step 5: Contract and random weigh-ins results may never be greater than new UFC defined 'pre-fight' training camp weight limits as defined below (suggestions?)

• 
  Strawweight 115 lb (52.2 kg) -> 120
  Flyweight 125 lb (56.7 kg) -> 130
  Bantamweight 135 lb (61.2 kg) -> 140
  Featherweight 145 lb (65.8 kg) -> 150
  Lightweight 155 lb (70.3 kg) -> 160
  Welterweight 170 lb (77.1 kg) -> 180 (up 10 vs 5)
  Middleweight 185 lb (83.9 kg) -> 195
  Light heavyweight 205 lb (93.0 kg) -> 215
  Heavyweight 265 lb (120.2 kg) - 280 (up 15 vs 10)

Step 6: Failed contract weigh-ins result in ineligibility for any contract of that weight class for at least two months (no other penalties)
Step 7: Failed random weigh-in (again only for fighters under signed upcoming fights) result in normal fight week weight-in penalties (loss of purse, etc)
Step 8: If one fighter is over and the other is under, a catch-weight may be offered

This new policy (1) will allow existing champions and contenders to achieve the new limits tested randomly during training camp or decide to move up to a class they can achieve, (2) prevent 'gaming' future weigh-ins and (3) allow fighters in compliance to agree to catch-weight negotiations far in advance of fight week, preventing an unnecessary weight cut.

On the random weigh-ins, whose scale do you use?

 

[Darwinambrosius]

Just increasing the fine would be enough imo. Making everybody involved jump through hoops is going to get old quickly and this isn't even an epidemic.

 

[dim_]

Step 2: Random training camp weigh-ins done during the unannounced USADA PED tests, only for fighters signed for an upcoming fight and preferably on the same day (is this feasible?).

no, for a number of reasons

+ theres the issue that your weight can fluctuate massively during the day depending on what time it is, how much youve eaten, drunk etc.

but the bigger issue would be logistics.

+ Testing is carried out on ufc fighters by anti doping agencies all around the world. they in turn use collection agencies to do the sample collection and transportation. You are literally talking hundreds of collection agencies around the world, in various countries collecting samples. Telling some random collection agency in Singapore, or Thailand, or the Dominican Republic, "by the way, you need to carry scales around with you because of some random client of USADA" it just isnt feasible. Its not simply a matter of giving ever usada collector a set of scales, you are literally talking giving thousands of sets of scales, to hundreds of collection agencies worldwide.

 

[Wariowokecancel]

Step 1: First weigh-in performed by independent firm must occur the day fight contract is signed (published for transparency to the media)
Step 2: Random training camp weigh-ins done during the unannounced USADA PED tests, only for fighters signed for an upcoming fight and preferably on the same day (is this feasible?)
Step 3: Fight night weigh-in as usual
Step 4: Existing class belt champions and contender status move up one (i.,e Heavyweight champ becomes Superheavyweight), since UFC may not adjust the weights themselves.
Step 5: Contract and random weigh-ins results may never be greater than new UFC defined 'pre-fight' training camp weight limits as defined below (suggestions?)

• 
  Strawweight 115 lb (52.2 kg) -> 120
  Flyweight 125 lb (56.7 kg) -> 130
  Bantamweight 135 lb (61.2 kg) -> 140
  Featherweight 145 lb (65.8 kg) -> 150
  Lightweight 155 lb (70.3 kg) -> 160
  Welterweight 170 lb (77.1 kg) -> 180 (up 10 vs 5)
  Middleweight 185 lb (83.9 kg) -> 195
  Light heavyweight 205 lb (93.0 kg) -> 215
  Heavyweight 265 lb (120.2 kg) - 280 (up 15 vs 10)

Step 6: Failed contract weigh-ins result in ineligibility for any contract of that weight class for at least two months (no other penalties)
Step 7: Failed random weigh-in (again only for fighters under signed upcoming fights) result in normal fight week weight-in penalties (loss of purse, etc)
Step 8: If one fighter is over and the other is under, a catch-weight may be offered

This new policy (1) will allow existing champions and contenders to achieve the new limits tested randomly during training camp or decide to move up to a class they can achieve, (2) prevent 'gaming' future weigh-ins and (3) allow fighters in compliance to agree to catch-weight negotiations far in advance of fight week, preventing an unnecessary weight cut.

Pretty fascist system devised by a 14 year old.

Because you are a 14 year old.

So say GSP has been on vacation for a week and has been drinking beer, eating burritos, riddiming his gf and chillaxing then he gets jumped by the WeightTestMenInBlack like a USADA drug test except for fucking weight then he’s fucked?