Healthy Solution to Weight-cutting problem

[pamirec]

I want this weight cutting bs to end, but we are not gonna see big changes anytime soon.

 

[jeff7b9]

So fighters fighting dehydrated and therefore getting much much worse brain trauma is your "healthy solution" ?


Yeah.
You fucking cracked the case Sherlock.

 

[fightfan70]

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?

pretty much what onefc did.

but i think these clowns in the ufc would still try to cut down to the next class.

ufc should change its name to extreme weight cutting mma championship.

 

[AfroBanana]

Every high school wrestler does same day weigh ins and competes multiple times that same.

Same day weigh in will gradually eliminate massive weigh cuts but a few people will get hurt as examples in the process.

Wrestling dehydrated as a high school wrestler doesn’t pose the same risks as a boxer, kickboxer and mma fighter (getting hit in the head) is the main concern. You don’t want to take that risk weening fighters off cutting.

 

[prikoke]

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.

The problem with weight cutting is that some people can cut a lot more than others and end up fighting with a significant weight advantage.

Maybe it's a skill, and can be trained, but I just wouldn't want it to be part of deciding a fight. You could do a push-up contest before the fight for example and the winner gets a 1 point lead on the judges scorecards, but I'm sure most people wouldn't think it would be a good idea.

Oh, and there is the negative health impact too.

 

[m249viking]

Same day weigh ins = bullies who absorb moisture quicker

 

[ServantofGOD]

ONE has hydration tests in addition to weigh-ins to try to curb massive cutting but its not a great system. They keep having to strip Champs and have catchweight fights cuz fighters are still trying to cut a bunch of weight but they can't hit their weight and hydration numbers. I don't personally have a good solution. Weight cutting is so engrained in the culture of pro fighting that maybe harsher penalties are needed. Fighters have no problem putting their bodies thru hell to make weight so maybe put their wallets thru hell or "suspend" them for a fight. There isn't a quick easy solution to this.

Yeah the UFC could do the ONE system better

They could enact harsher penalties for failing to make weight it could do that by forbidding them to fight and taking a % of their pay. Also do 2 days a before, day before and day of and suspend them for months.

 

[HavokHarmon]

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

Yeah that pretty much nails it, you’d run into a lot of fighters who would try and put off their rehydration until the last minute in order to make the extra 10 lb difference day of.

By and large I think the current system is alright. If you can make the weight and be successful then thats your weight. If you can’t make the weight or you can but it drains you too much to compete effectively then you have to change classes. The competition element already present weeds out people who don’t belong in certain classes, and (ideally) the AC should stop any cutting that appears dangerous.

 

[BJJ4Tone]

pretty much what onefc did.

but i think these clowns in the ufc would still try to cut down to the next class.

ufc should change its name to extreme weight cutting mma championship.

I wouldn't care so much, but having seen my teammates cut weight to the point where their whole facial structure changes... It's really tough to watch.
Not to mention the countless videos out there of UFC fighters doing it and looking like absolute death.
I suppose it's their own bodies. If they wanna die of kidney failure...