New weigh-in procedure for UFC 199 explained

[Wild]

For most of the last 15 years in the UFC, the structure of weigh-ins before events has been the same. This weekend will be different.

The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has shaken things up with its emphasis on changing the culture of using severe dehydration to cut weight in MMA. In February, the CSAC passed ground-breaking rules that have already been adapted in other commissions across the country.

UFC 199 in Los Angeles will be the first UFC event where the new regulations will be applied. The card is the first of what could end up being the norm in the sport moving forward. The UFC itself is already considering changing its weigh-in procedure.

What exactly are CSAC's new weight-cutting rules?

A full breakdown and answers to all the pertinent questions about the rules are below.

The biggest change will happen Friday. Beginning at 10 a.m. at a nearby hotel, the athletes can begin weighing in. They will have a window of four hours to do so and can hit the scale at any time during that period. UFC and commission officials will be present. That's a major difference from the typical 4 p.m. weigh-in. The idea is to give fighters more time to rehydrate before the fight.

This whole thing, by the way, is only optional. If a fighter wants to weigh-in at the usual afternoon time, he or she can. However, most are expected to take advantage of the earlier hour.

In addition to the weigh-in change, doctors on hand Friday and Saturday during fight night will pay closer attention to hydration while examining fighters. For the first time, doctors will have the ability to use specific gravity tests on fight nights to determine if a fighter is adequately hydrated to compete. If a fighter is still severely dehydrated on fight day, the commission doctor could pull him or her out of the fight for safety reasons.

What will happen to the regular, television weigh-in fans are accustomed to?

It won't go away and will largely be the same, according to UFC vice president of public relations Dave Sholler. It will remain at 4 p.m. Fighters will still pose on stage and square off with each other like the weigh-ins we're used to. The only difference will be that Joe Rogan will announce the weights that were previously recorded rather than the ones read from the scale right then and there.

LINK: Different weigh-in procedure for UFC 199, explained

 

[Wintermute]

This sounds like a half-measure that will become contentious.

 

[Ted Williams' head]

Just more useless rules that will accomplish nothing but further inconveniencing the athletes.

I LONG for the day when we collectively realize "hey... fighting is a hard enough job as it is, let's stop trying to fuck with the athletes and make their lives harder."

Any law/rule designed to protect people from themselves is bound to fail IMO.

 

[Grateful Dude]

I'd like to be able to say that I think this will work. I mean, we're all for fighter safety and health, right? Maybe it will work for some, but I remain very skeptical. Time will tell. I'm curious to see how this goes, and would like to hear some feedback from the fighters after trying this out.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

Just more useless rules that will accomplish nothing but further inconveniencing the athletes.

I LONG for the day when we collectively realize "hey... fighting is a hard enough job as it is, let's stop trying to fuck with the athletes and make their lives harder."

Any law/rule designed to protect people from themselves is bound to fail IMO.

Can I get your opinion as to the flaws in this new system? Rockhold was on the MMA Hour on Tuesday and he seemed to love it. He expected to feel better on fight night, which is a win in my book.

A lot of people were saying that with earlier weigh ins, people will cut more.. but that seems to be handled by the gravity/hydration tests. Part of this does seem like "saving fighters from themselves", but it also seems like an accommodation that is going to lead to guys being much more comfortable throughout the process. I could be totally wrong because I have never cut weight, I am just basing this off of what I have gathered.

 

[Greenbean]

get your opinion as to the flaws in this new system? Rockhold was on the MMA Hour on Tuesday and he seemed to love it. He expected to feel better on fight night, which is a win in my book.

Dominic Cruz seems happy too. Less time dehydrated, just waiting for weigh in time.

 

[Leigh]

Let them weigh in a week before. No one will be dehydrated then.

 

[La Paix]

Is this happening only within CSACs jurisdiction?

 

[Grateful Dude]

Let them weigh in a week before. No one will be dehydrated then.

Is a week too far out from fight night? Maybe weigh in 2-3 days before fight night?

 

[Super Dave]

What will happen to the regular, television weigh-in fans are accustomed to?

It won't go away and will largely be the same, according to UFC vice president of public relations Dave Sholler. It will remain at 4 p.m. Fighters will still pose on stage and square off with each other like the weigh-ins we're used to. The only difference will be that Joe Rogan will announce the weights that were previously recorded rather than the ones read from the scale right then and there.

I think it's funny how committed the UFC is to broadcasting the weigh ins when they won't actually be weighing in.

 

[dacofty]

Is this happening only within CSACs jurisdiction?

the article said numerous commissions across the county have already started using this method.

 

[Robbie Hart]

I think it's funny how committed the UFC is to broadcasting the weigh ins when they won't actually be weighing in.

I believe that everyone will be "encouraged" to be part of the televised weigh in, otherwise the UFC will be "obliged" to use it against you.............,

 

[FryedTakayama]

Shame, I'll miss the surprise of the missed weight offender. Now I can't be all like

 

[Jed-hud]

Every fighter i have heard from is all for this more time to rehydrate and less time without food and dehydration its a win win

 

[BaneBreaksBacks]

This doesn't bode well for those of us who appreciate the women's weigh-ins. I mean, what if Meisha chooses to weigh in before hand from now on. (No more bikini shots, just squaring off in nasty ol' sweats)?????

 

[La Paix]

This doesn't bode well for those of us who appreciate the women's weigh-ins. I mean, what if Meisha chooses to weigh in before hand from now on. (No more bikini shots, just squaring off in nasty ol' sweats)?????

I'm certain the weigh ins we are all used to will continue for the showmanship. No need to scare other members.

 

[BaneBreaksBacks]

I'm certain the weigh ins we are all used to will continue for the showmanship. No need to scare other members.

Thank God!

 

[La Paix]

Thank God!

I feel ya bro

 

[Jehannum]

I think it's funny how committed the UFC is to broadcasting the weigh ins when they won't actually be weighing in.

I expect this to change over time rather than over night, but the square offs are traditional and great for promotion.

 

[Jehannum]

I feel ya bro

women's arms

 

[Super Dave]

I feel ya bro

Not bad.

 

[Super Dave]

Everyone loves a good weigh in face off.

 

[Jehannum]

Everyone loves a good weigh in face off.

I've heard cameras always add a few pounds