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11/22/2024 05:25:42 am

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Fight Regulators Propose Changes that Could Change the MMA Landscape

Anderson Silva at weigh-ins

(Photo : Reuters)

Fight regulators are continually evolving with the sport of mixed martial arts, as they take the next step towards fighter safety. They are proposing same-day weigh-ins and body testing that could place fighters in different weight classes.

In an edition of UFC Central Radio, Executive Director of the California State Athletic Commission Andy Foster stated that their current process for cutting weight wasn't working.

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He cited UFC 177 as an example, when two of the fighters slated for the main card pulled out of their fights. One of them was ex-champion Renan Barao who looked to face T.J. Dillashaw in a rematch.

Barao said that due to his weight cut, he slipped in the bathtub and hit his head. This was an example of dehydration going wrong.

He had discussed changes with The Association of Ringside Physicians (A.R.P).

Included in the changes are Hydrastatic tests that specifies the gravity in a fighter's urine. It will determine just how well an athlete is hydrated. There will also be caliper measurements of different parts of a fighter's body.

These procedures are to be done before a fighter is licensed, way before a scheduled bout and in conjunction with the caliper test. Together, they will determine what the minimum weight of competition would be.

If these changes are approved and applied, the MMA fight game could change drastically.

Fighters are currently fighting in weight classes that they are targeting. They do not have the benefit of caliper tests and hydrastatic tests to let them know which is the optimum weight to be in.

This may be good, as fighters are kept safe from excessive weight cutting.

However, some fighters may not like the move. This includes champions who may need to move up and down divisions depending on these tests.

Foster went on to say that these procedures might go over to boxing as well. 

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