CSAC Unanimously Passes Significant New Weight-Cutting Regulations

The California State Athletic Commission unanimously passed a 10-point plan on Tuesday in hopes of combatting extreme weight cutting in mixed martial arts.

Included in the new regulations are larger fines for missing weight, the introduction of more weight classes and weight checks on fight day. MMAFighting.com was the first to report the new regulations.

The plan will officially take effect on June 15 and will be in place for the next major event in the state, UFC 214, which is set for Anaheim on July 29. That card is headlined by a light heavyweight championship rematch between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones.

Some of the key components of the 10-point plan include:

• A 20-percent fine on a fighter’s win bonus — as well as the show purse — for missing weight

• The addition of 165-, 175-, 195- and 225-pound weight classes and licensing by weight class for fighters

• Weight class restrictions for fighters missing weight more than once

• A second weight check on the day of the event “to ensure fighters have not gained more than 10 percent of their body weight back in the 30 hours between the official weigh-in and the event.” If a fighter gains back more than 10 percent of his or her body weight, they will be recommended to move up a weight class for their next bout.

• The implementation 30-day and 10-day weight check for “advertised high-level title fights.”

According to the MMAFighting.com report, the UFC, Bellator MMA and Invicta FC all wrote letters in support of the new weight-cutting plan prior to the CSAC meeting. However, in the case of the new weight classes, it is not mandatory that any of the promotions add more divisions.

The full 10-point plan, listed on the CSAC agenda as item No. 8, can be viewed here.