This is a subject i unfortunately know too much about. I wore my contacts over 10 years fighting MMA professionally. I even wore them in 2007 when i faught in UFC 78 against Lauzon. Then, a few years go by and i signed with the WEC. 10 days before my fight after spending weeks and weeks away from my family, spending a ton of money on training camp just as many fighters do. 10 days before my fight the UFC calls and informs me the Colorado Athletic Commission will not allow fighters to fight with contacts. (i honestly thought i was being punked)
So, i flew home and couldn't believe what was happening. It wasn't the UFC's fault. They tried everything. I was told it was the Colorado commission. My eyes were bad with my contact prescription being high. I understand their concern with my contact/contacts coming out in the fight. But, it happened to me a lot through my career. I just dealt with it. No big deal, really.
Anyway, i flew home, had this PRK corrective eye surgery and thousands of dollars later i was extremely thankfull the UFC re-scheduled the fight. Only this time it was in thew UFC, because while i was recovering from eye surgery, the WEC became the UFC.
My point is to any of you fighters with contacts and high prescriptions..."check first with the State in which you are fighting in" "Don't get caught off guard like i did, and do a whole training camp, spending your own money only to be told days before your fights cancelled because of your contacts.
