By: Mike Coughlin
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"Cut It Out"
Size matters. Originally, the Ultimate Fighting Championship had no weight limit. This allowed small, but very talented, men like Royce Gracie to wow audiences by beating larger, though untalented, challengers. When the smaller man had a notable skill advantage the size difference could be nullified. As fighters of all weights began to get more skilled the need for weight classes arose and were thus created. Fighters, like amateur wrestlers, quickly learned that they could cut weight and fight smaller men. While the practice of weight cutting is common in MMA, it is a custom that needs to be done away with.
The UFC has five active weight classes: 155 lbs and below (lightweight), 155-170 lbs (welterweight), 170-185 lbs (middleweight), 185-205 (light heavyweight), 205-265 lbs (heavyweight). In general, fighters are weighed in the day before the fight. They have to be within one pound of the weight limit (meaning a 205 lb fighter could weigh 206 lbs and make weight), the theory being that a scale could be off a lb or so. They then have all day to put on extra pounds. Hijinx follow.
Many fighters are dropping anywhere from 10-25 lbs in order to make weight. Matt Hughes, champion at 170 lbs, walks around at 190 lbs. He cuts 20 lbs in order to make weight! If he fights someone who naturally walks around at 170 lbs, he has a twenty pound weight advantage. For a guy who relies upon strength and power, twenty pounds can be a world of difference. It isn't that Hughes is cheating, he's taking advantage of the system. But he is gaining an unfair advantage over those who do not cut weight. It's the same argument against steroids: if one guy does it, everyone has to do it just to keep up.
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While the deaths were shocking, the methods were not. In the days leading up to a fight, or in the case of wrestling, a match, many wrestlers will begin to severely diet. They'll decrease their caloric intake to a dangerous level, often getting by on two extremely small meals and a few glasses of water. The hours leading up to weigh in are where the true danger sets in. Many will wear the aforementioned rubber suits, sit in 200+ degree saunas, and try to sweat out as much water weight as possible. The twenty pounds can literally evaporate.
The health problems that arise are scary. According to Dr. Bryan W. Smith (M.D., P.H.D., FAAP, Medical Consultant to the Atlantic Coast Conference), the ailments can include, "Impaired thermoregulation, decreased work capacity, decreased renal blood flow, increased heart rate, reduced endurance capacity, altered hormonal status, and stunted growth and development. Weight cutting has been associated with cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary emboli, pancreatitis and decreased immune function. Altered psychological states and impaired academic performance have been reported." In short, a lot of really bad things can happen to a person.
It wasn't a problem that came out of nowhere though. The American Medial Association had been expressing concern regarding weight cutting since 1967. In 1976, the American College of Sports Medicine had similar doubts. Many former and current fighters have expressed that the process is draining and they felt it was a danger. Additionally, common sense says that draining a body of as much water as possible isn't healthy.
To get rid of this practice, the UFC, in conjuction with the Nevada State Athletic Commissoin, should put in a place the following:
1) Have the weigh-ins as close to the actual fight as possible. If the fights are scheduled to begin at 7 PM, then weigh-ins should take place no later than 5 hours prior. Having the weigh-ins on the same day would force fighters to fight closer to their more natural weight, as it would remove a great deal of the time used to re-hydrate. Furthermore, it allows enough time for any fighter who is one or two pounds over to possibly drop the needed weight (such a small amount isn't really dangerous, nor would it likely influence the outcome of a match). It also gives fighters ample time to prepare themselves for their upcoming fight. The last few hours before someone steps into the Octagon should be spent warming up, mentally and physically, not standing on scales.
2) Create a new 225 lb weight class. Fighters such as Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz all reportedly walk around at about 220 lbs or so. Since that seems to be the maximum weight someone can come down from, create a new class specifically for these guys. If fighters at this weight don't have their own weight class they'll be run over by large heavyweights.
3) If the UFC refuses to implement the above, they should at least provide fight fans with an unofficial weigh-in, similar to what is done on boxing telecasts. Fans would then be able to appreciate size differences that may exist. BJ Penn's victory of Matt Hughes is even more impressive when one realizes that he gave up at least 10, if not 15, lbs to the Illinois native.
By forcing weigh-ins to take place the day of the fight, the playing field is leveled. If a fighter wishes to cut weight, they may, and face the repercussions of having abused their body so severely mere hours before a fight. Most fighters will choose to fight at their more natural weight though.
There could be concern that fighters might not make weight, which would put in jeopardy potential main events. While this is a legitimate fear, the men who fight should be professional enough that this does not happen.
Fight fans will benefit from the elimination of weight cutting as well. Fighters will come into the Octagon at their peak physical condition, as opposed to now when they have destroyed their body all week long. Perfectly rested fighters will result in the best possible fights. It will also cut out any potential excuses that could arise, from fighter fatigue to complaints about size difference.
For the health of both the sport and the fighters, weight cutting needs to be, well, cut.
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