Healthy Solution to Weight-cutting problem

BJJ4Tone

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I think most people agree that the amount of weight that fighters are cutting is very unhealthy.
Additionally, because some fighters choose to cut more than others, they get labeled as "weight bullies".
I think I have a solution to this problem but welcome any critical feedback anyone may have.

I think they should still do weigh-ins the day before, as they have, but also do day-of weigh-ins and enforce that the weights cannot be more than 10 lbs apart. If you weighed in at 155 lbs the day before, you can't be more than 165 lbs the day of. This would both keep fighters healthier and also eliminate the monotonous conversations about fighters being "too big" for their divisions.

Obviously this will mess things up for current champions who cut a butt-load of weight.
So my proposed solution would be adding a 220 lbs cruiserweight class and have each current champion move up one weight, so that no current champions would have to forfeit their titles. (Maybe just do away with 125 altogether)

135 - Figgy
145 - Aljo
155 - Volk
170 - Islam
185 - Leon
205 - Alex
220 - Jan/Ankalaev
220+ - Ngannou

Thoughts?
<Goldie11>
 
One FC kinda does this already. DJ fights at 135 there.

Your idea works in theory though I'd argue it needs to be a percentage of contracted weight, say 8% because 10 lbs on a FW is a much bigger change than 10 lbs on a LHW.

problem then is some fighters would go into the cage even more dehydrated so they aren't over weight
 
I think most people agree that the amount of weight that fighters are cutting is very unhealthy.
Additionally, because some fighters choose to cut more than others, they get labeled as "weight bullies".
I think I have a solution to this problem but welcome any critical feedback anyone may have.

I think they should still do weigh-ins the day before, as they have, but also do day-of weigh-ins and enforce that the weights cannot be more than 10 lbs apart. If you weighed in at 155 lbs the day before, you can't be more than 165 lbs the day of. This would both keep fighters healthier and also eliminate the monotonous conversations about fighters being "too big" for their divisions.

Obviously this will mess things up for current champions who cut a butt-load of weight.
So my proposed solution would be adding a 220 lbs cruiserweight class and have each current champion move up one weight, so that no current champions would have to forfeit their titles. (Maybe just do away with 125 altogether)

135 - Figgy
145 - Aljo
155 - Volk
170 - Islam
185 - Leon
205 - Alex
220 - Jan/Ankalaev
220+ - Ngannou

Thoughts?
<Goldie11>
I suggested the exact same thing lol like a year ago ... except no weight class changes.

Needless to say ..i agree
 
One FC kinda does this already. DJ fights at 135 there.

Your idea works in theory though I'd argue it needs to be a percentage of contracted weight, say 8% because 10 lbs on a FW is a much bigger change than 10 lbs on a LHW.

problem then is some fighters would go into the cage even more dehydrated so they aren't over weight


Or they could you know...not cut so much weight and not be so dehydrated...

If this rule was put in it force guys to adjust or face real backlash for cutting...right now the current system isn't stopping or deterring anything.

Perfect example Alex P wouldn't be fighting 185lbs if he has to hold 195lbs going into fight day... We already know hes 215 in cage.. under these rules he would be a 205er or even hw which he should be
 
I hate weight cutting. It’s dangerous, and it’s almost surprising that nobody has died yet. And it’s hard to imagine that these big cutters are performing at their optimum level the next night. But, I don’t know that for sure. But it just makes sense to me. Maybe anybody that competes or used to, can weigh in (pardon the pun) on how they feel physically the next day/night whatever.

It’s weird though.. Isn’t it the job of these sanctioning bodies to keep fighters as safe as possible? Allowing big weight cuts sounds like pretty much the opposite to me.

I’ve seen countless solutions posted in here. Some sound good, some don’t. But unless the commissions get together and agree to do something. Nothing is going to change.
 
what exactly is this problem with weight cutting? 99% of all fights, the fighters make weight. i understand your thoughts on it, but its fine the way it is, as there is no problem.
 
I agree with other posters that the day-of difference should be percentage based rather than a static number of pounds since 10 lbs is way different for a 135er compared to 205, etc.

I don't love adding classes and changing titles personally, but otherwise think this is one of the better suggestions I've seen here.

All that said I really don't have a problem with the current situation. They all have the same opportunities.
 
I think most people agree that the amount of weight that fighters are cutting is very unhealthy.
Additionally, because some fighters choose to cut more than others, they get labeled as "weight bullies".
I think I have a solution to this problem but welcome any critical feedback anyone may have.

I think they should still do weigh-ins the day before, as they have, but also do day-of weigh-ins and enforce that the weights cannot be more than 10 lbs apart. If you weighed in at 155 lbs the day before, you can't be more than 165 lbs the day of. This would both keep fighters healthier and also eliminate the monotonous conversations about fighters being "too big" for their divisions.

Obviously this will mess things up for current champions who cut a butt-load of weight.
So my proposed solution would be adding a 220 lbs cruiserweight class and have each current champion move up one weight, so that no current champions would have to forfeit their titles. (Maybe just do away with 125 altogether)

135 - Figgy
145 - Aljo
155 - Volk
170 - Islam
185 - Leon
205 - Alex
220 - Jan/Ankalaev
220+ - Ngannou

Thoughts?
<Goldie11>
Stop this day before nonsense. Get on the scale then get in cage.
Adding the 225 division is smart.
And yes without extreme weight cutting the men's 125 division will most likely disappear.
 
One FC kinda does this already. DJ fights at 135 there.

Your idea works in theory though I'd argue it needs to be a percentage of contracted weight, say 8% because 10 lbs on a FW is a much bigger change than 10 lbs on a LHW.

problem then is some fighters would go into the cage even more dehydrated so they aren't over weight
Problem is that they're clearly not applying the rules across the board. There's absolutely no way that Moraes was following the same weight cutting protocols as Mighty Mouse for example.
 
Why would Dana even bother to read this, if he could just carry on doing what he's already doing? There's no incentive or obligationfor the UFC to change anything, because nobody is forcing the fighters to cut weight, they chose to do it themselves. There's even guys like Colby or Adesanya, who chose not to cut a lot of weight, and say it benefits them
 
Sat here for a good 5 seconds trying to remember if there was actually a 125 division. Thought they canned that years ago.

USADA should show up with testing kits and a scale. Have to pass both.
 
10 pounds is too arbitrary. 10 pounds is a lot to a flyweight but not much to a heavyweight. This model would need to be based on a % not a fixed amount for all weight classes.
 
Stop this day before nonsense. Get on the scale then get in cage.
Adding the 225 division is smart.
And yes without extreme weight cutting the men's 125 division will most likely disappear.
Great, have them be dehydrated in the cage. Real smart
 
I'm gonna say hell no, too drastic a change for the whole sport.

But it's a good idea nonetheless. Would probably fix the problem. Still, no thanks.
 
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