UFC to implement new weight-management program for fighters

The UFC is shooting a double leg takedown on severe dehydration.

The world’s premier MMA promotion will implement a new weight-management program in the coming months, based mostly on education and data collection, MMA Fighting confirmed with officials this week. The Las Vegas Review-Journal was the first to report on the story.

Many experts believe fighters severely dehydrating themselves to make weight is the biggest program facing mixed martial arts today. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) hosted a summit on the topic in December that was attended by UFC execs Jeff Novitzky and Marc Ratner. Novitzky, the UFC’s vice president of athlete health and performance, has been one of the people spearheading the UFC’s new program.

One of the main bullet points of the UFC’s new Weight Management Policy will be that fighters must check in for fight week at no more than 8 percent of their target weight. If they are greater than 8 percent of that weight, they will be subject to the daily monitoring of their weight and vitals throughout the week and mandatory weight management counseling before their next fight. These procedures will go into place starting at UFC 200, though the promotion will give fighters a grace period to adjust to the new rules.

“The only hard and fast rule in there, and I think it’s probably the most important thing in terms of the guidelines, is that 8 percent number,” Novitzky told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “If they’re not, it’s not in the rules the fight won’t happen, but we sure are going to pay very close attention to them, including taking daily weight, daily vitals, and as it progresses, if they show signs of being dehydrated, they will be pulled …

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