New Jersey tightens rules on Weight Cutting

Crashsti · 12-11-2006, 01:28 PM

this is from whaledog.com

New Jersey changes weigh-in rules

People have complained for years that fighters who cut weight the day before a fight, and then put in 15-20 pounds after weighing-in, have an unfair advantage against fighters whose actual weight is near the weight limit. Critics have generally proposed moving weigh-ins to the day of a fight in order to avoid excessive weight cutting. The problem has been, however, is that a fighter who cuts too much weight on the day of a fight would put his health at serious risk once he or she gets into the ring.

Now, however, the New Jersey State Athletic Commission has decided to go another route. For championship fights it is going to weigh in fighters 30 days before the fight and again 7 days before the fight. The fighter must be within 10% of his target weight30 days before the fight, and within 5% of the target weight 7 days before the fight.

The new rules are designed to protect fighters' health, and for that reason I think they are a good idea. Of course, since the new rules only apply to championship fights in New Jersey they will not end the practice of excessive weight cutting, but at least this is a step in a positive direction.

Following is the official statement my the New Jersey State Athletic Commisison:
From: Commissioner Hazzard

Date: October 17, 2006

Subject: Weigh-Ins for Championship Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, and Kickboxing Matches

This agency has been fortunate in that fighters involved in recent world championship contests held in Atlantic City have not had trouble making weight at the weigh-in held the day prior to competition. However, we are aware of the weigh-in problems that have occurred in jurisdictions outside of New Jersey. These weigh-in problems at championship fights held elsewhere have caused us to review our championship weigh-in policy. We have discussed this matter with staff, medical personnel and reviewed media articles on the subject.

In summary, we agree with the WBC and Mr. Jose Sulaiman that a 30 day and 7 day weigh-in should be held in addition to the customary weigh-in prior to championship bouts. Although this idea originated with the WBC and not with us, we are always open to the ideas of others and encourage other commissions to be open to such credible ideas as well. We do believe that New Jersey will be the first state to require that the WBC weigh-in procedure be followed. This agency will institute this new weigh-in policy for all championship bouts held in New Jersey after January 1, 2007.

The contestants will be able to be weigh-in at the nearest recognized athletic commission. The fighters will not be mandated to travel to New Jersey 30 days and 7 days prior to the bout. For example, if the fighter is training in California for a championship bout to be held in Atlantic City, that fighter could go to the California commission to weigh-in 30 days and 7 days prior to the bout. If the commission is unable or unwilling to weigh the fighter, arrangements can be made at another state facility or be certified by a licensed physician.

At the 30 day weigh-in, a fighter cannot weigh over 10% of his or her contract weight. At the seven day weigh-in, a fighter must be within 5% of his or her contract weight.

Unfortunately, it seems that certain championship caliber fighters are in the habit of dieting and using steam rooms, saunas and associated tactics in the week prior to the fight in order to make weight. Subsequent to the customary weigh-in, these same fighters gorge themselves with liquids and nutritional substances to attempt to regain proper physical stability to compete. This type of practice has a negative effect on a fighter's short and long term health. Further, such a threat to a professional's health and safety must be eliminated. This new weigh-in procedure would not be necessary if championship caliber fighter's conducted themselves like absolute professionals and stayed in competition shape year round and at or near their fighting weight.

We do not agree that moving the weigh-in to the day of the event is the proper solution. In theory, we agree with the concept, but the practical reality dictates the opposite conclusion. A weigh -in on the day of the event will only increase the chances of seeing a dehydrated fighter competing during the event. While this approach may be successful in other sports like amateur or collegiate wrestling, these competitors are not subject to repeated blows to the head and are not trained by individuals who derive substantial revenue from a percentage of the fighter's purse.

It is my hope that by enacting this mandate, professional combative sports contestants will place a greater emphasis on weight maintenance. I believe that this procedure will enhance the health and safety of the fighter (which, as regulators, should always be our primary focus) as well as the image of these sports.

As boxing attorney Pat English, Esq. has recently stated on this subject, there is a problem that is real and needs to be addressed. We agree with Mr. English's comments that this solution is a partial answer and is not perfect, but something needs to be done.

This policy will also go into effect on January 1, 2007 for world class caliber professional mixed martial arts and kick boxing contests held here.

RockemSockem · 12-11-2006, 03:08 PM

Great great news. Thanks for the article. That is definitely a step in the right direction. And a fair solution to the problem.

Crashsti · 12-11-2006, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockemSockem

Great great news. Thanks for the article. That is definitely a step in the right direction. And a fair solution to the problem.

its funny though, at first i was thinking great, the AC's are finally doing something about the overuse of weight cutting. however the new restrictions only apply to title fights at the moment. i get the feeling that this is more to avoid the issue of title fights becoming non-title fights when a guy like Joe Riggs can't make weight. the other question that is raises is how often will MMA promotions look to NJ to promote fights? the UFC calls Vegas home most of the time but you have to wonder if they will ever go to NJ to do an event again. i would love to see The Nevada state AC adopt these rules as well but are they willing to step on the UFC's toes more than they already have?

Gygax · 12-11-2006, 03:36 PM

At this point I hope it remains just for title fights. As someone involved heavily in sports medicine, the rule is certainly necessary to help protect the health of the fighters. But it would kill any fights where a last minute replacement is needed. For instance, the Rutten-Warpath fight would have never happened in the WFA this past summer. While this isn't too bad for the big promotions (they may weigh-in backups for each weight class just in case) it may hurt some of the smaller orgs, such as MFC or Reality Fighting who operate in NJ.

I've been involved with weigh-ins for 15 years now with amateur wrestling on all levels including the Worlds and NCAA Champiuonships, and there is nothing I hate more than the weight cutting. But its almost an impossible situation to solve as athletes will always feel the lighter they can fight/wrestle at, the better they will be. And too often the results bear that out.

Crashsti · 12-11-2006, 03:41 PM

those are all good points that i never would have considered. all too often i forget about smaller promotions that can struggle with too many restrictions. i personally hate weight cutting as do many of the trainers i study under.

Gooner · 12-11-2006, 04:25 PM

A step in the right direction definitely.

angryjonny · 12-11-2006, 06:56 PM

I'm like you Gygax. I hate weight cutting. I hated it in wrestling when I had to do it and I still hate it today. But there isn't a happy medium. This is cool that they are doing something about it but it can also potentially suck if an instance happens where they need someone to fill in but can't because of the new rules. I have been torn on the issue forever though it seems.

Greenman · 12-11-2006, 08:10 PM

I am happy they at least recognize the problem and are trying something to change. If it doesn't work, maybe they will try something else.

Bomber · 12-12-2006, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenman

I am happy they at least recognize the problem and are trying something to change. If it doesn't work, maybe they will try something else.

That's my first thought too. Hopefully this idea will grow and other commissions will follow.

Jenkins83 · 12-12-2006, 04:09 PM

Good news. Weight cutting is dumb, everyone should just fight at their normal weights. I hope the UFC eventually bans weight cutting all together.

MuStAnG12687 · 12-12-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenkins83

Good news. Weight cutting is dumb, everyone should just fight at their normal weights. I hope the UFC eventually bans weight cutting all together.

I'm glad to see that something is being done because I too would like to see fighters fight at their normal day-to-day weight...but I don't think this problem can be solved so easily weighing the fighters in 30 days and 7 days before a fight because these fighters can cut weight before both scheduled days...it should be random days before a fight, not set at 30 days and 7 days before a fight, but instead have the fighter be weighed in 2 random times within 30 days before a fight. Now that would make some difference...