UFC could change weigh-in procedure as part of new weight management program

The UFC could be making even more changes as part of its new weight-management program.

In an e-mail sent to fighters this week, UFC vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky wrote that the promotion is exploring the possibility of an earlier weigh-in, much like some state athletic commissions are implementing. MMA Fighting obtained a copy of the e-mail Friday.

“UFC is also working with the Athletic Commissions to test the feasibility of extending the weigh-in period, including a multi-hour weigh-in conducted at the host hotel,” Novitzky wrote.

Commissions in Kansas and at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut have already tried an earlier weigh-in the day before Bellator events with almost unanimous positive feedback from fighters. The California State Athletic Commission is in the process of making an earlier weigh-in part of its official rules.

UFC 199 in Los Angeles on June 4 will be the first UFC event to be subject to the new system. Fighters will have a window to weigh in beginning at 10 a.m. the day before the event, rather than hitting the scale at the traditional time of 4 p.m. The idea stems from the advice of doctors, who say that giving fighters more time to rehydrate between the weigh-in and the fight will be beneficial to their health.

Luke Rockhold will defend his middleweight title against Michael Bisping in the main event of UFC 199, which takes place at The Forum in Inglewood. In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz takes on challenger Urijah Faber.

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