Issue 130

July 2015

Fighters Only editor Nick Peet explores another potential solution to MMA’s weight-cut problem.

May’s issue of Fighters Only featured an in-depth article on the dangers of weight cutting and how the current practices used by fighters to tip the scales favorably are a very real threat to the future of mixed martial arts. 

We highlighted the precariousness of extreme weight cutting in a short space of time, as consultant editor Gareth A Davies revealed the opinions of leading medical professionals, coaches, pro fighters and officials at the epicenter of the issue.

We also discussed some alternatives worth pursuing, including regular check weigh-ins in the weeks leading up to a contest perhaps using new media tools like Skype or Facetime in order to cut back on costs. However, one avenue we didn’t explore fully was the system presently used in collegiate and high school wrestling.

At the beginning of each new campaign, wrestlers of all ages must first take part in a pre-season medical that includes the determination of a proper weight class based initially yet critically on hydration levels. 

Following the tragic deaths of about eight athletes in college wrestling a decade ago, a system was put in place that all athletes must now follow. And it’s a system that could easily transfer to MMA.

The annual assessment begins with a specific gravity urine test, which firstly allows a medical professional to accurately judge whether the athlete is dehydrated at that moment. In wrestling, that’s done by presenting urine equal to or less than a predetermined safely hydrated state. Do that and they qualify for the next stage. Show higher numbers and a minimum 24-hour suspension is imposed until they can be retested.

Once an athlete’s specific gravity urine test is approved they are then tested for body fat. And it’s using this result that an athlete’s lowest possible weight division is judged. Wrestling allows, in males, a minimum body fat percentage of 7%, and 12% for females. But it also adheres to a strict weight-cut program. No athlete is allowed to cut more than 1.5% of their initial weight in a seven-day period.

Also, the entire weight-cutting period is restricted to eight weeks. So a male athlete’s lowest fighting weight is the weight he can safely achieve in a two-month period, without dipping below 7% body fat.

For example: if an athlete weighs 170lb at his initial assessment, with body fat of 18%, his minimum weight (at 7% body fat) is calculated to be just under 150lb. So in MMA terms, the lowest weight division he would be cleared to compete in would be the 155lb lightweight class.

Also, that same athlete would only be able to lose 2.55lb per week, 1.5% of their initial assessment weight. This would provide athlete, coach, commission and/or promoter with a sliding scale of safe weight loss progress. It works successfully on the wrestling mats, so there’s no reason why it couldn’t work for MMA.

All professional fighters should be conforming to annual brain, blood and urine assessments already. So adding another tier to those tests and having the fighter’s minimum weight class established via a medical professional should make the whole thing safer.

CASH MONEY BROTHERS

I can’t help but believe there must be another level behind the UFC’s Reebok-led sponsorship rewards program we haven’t been told about yet. After all, athletes who were once picking up $20,000+ in shorts and fight gear advertising can’t seriously be expected to accept a paltry $2,500 per fight.

A storm blew up at the start of May when the UFC went public with what athletes could expect to receive in terms of Reebok cash per fight, depending on their Zuffa experience (see page 24 for details). Unsurprisingly, the majority of the roster was far from happy. 

But that can’t be it; shop closed, job done. With around a dozen fights on cards most weekends, the UFC will undoubtedly be looking at individual event sponsors to come in next and throw additional sponsor cash at cards, just like they have before. And with those company logos being added to the Reebok fight week gear shouldn’t fighters be looking at a slice of that pie too?

I’m holding any comment and judgement back until I witness first hand the attire and speak to the fighters involved in the first fight card to fall into this new Reebok-led era – UFC 189 in Las Vegas in July – before I offer my two cents.