Different weigh-in procedure for UFC 199, explained

For most of the last 15 years in the UFC, the structure of weigh-ins before events has been the same. This weekend will be different.

The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has shaken things up with its emphasis on changing the culture of using severe dehydration to cut weight in MMA. In February, the CSAC passed ground-breaking rules that have already been adapted in other commissions across the country.

UFC 199 in Los Angeles will be the first UFC event where the new regulations will be applied. The card is the first of what could end up being the norm in the sport moving forward. The UFC itself is already considering changing its weigh-in procedure.

A full breakdown and answers to all the pertinent questions about the rules are below.

What exactly are CSAC’s new weight-cutting rules?

The biggest change will happen Friday. Beginning at 10 a.m. at a nearby hotel, the athletes can begin weighing in. They will have a window of four hours to do so and can hit the scale at any time during that period. UFC and commission officials will be present. That’s a major difference from the typical 4 p.m. weigh-in. The idea is to give fighters more time to rehydrate before the fight.

This whole thing, by the way, is only optional. If a fighter wants to weigh-in at the usual afternoon time, he or she can. However, most are expected to take advantage of the earlier hour.

In addition to the weigh-in change, doctors on hand Friday and Saturday during fight night will pay closer attention to hydration while examining fighters. For the first time, doctors will have the ability to use specific gravity tests on fight nights to determine if a fighter is adequately hydrated to compete. If a fighter is still severely dehydrated on fight day, the commission doctor could pull him or her out of the fight for safety reasons.

What will happen to the regular, television weigh-in fans are accustomed to?

It won’t go away and will largely be the same, according to UFC vice president of public relations Dave Sholler. It will remain at 4 p.m. Fighters will still pose on stage and square off with each other like the weigh-ins we’re used to. The only difference will be that Joe Rogan will announce the weights that were previously recorded rather than the ones read from the scale right then and there.

The 4 p.m. weigh-in will be open to the public and air on FOX Sports 1, as usual. The official weigh-in earlier in the day will be closed to the public and media. CSAC executive officer Andy Foster said because there will be medical exams going on in the same room during the official weigh-in, they cannot be public events. Foster said that part of the procedure might change in the future.

What happens if a fighter misses weight and how will anyone know if he or she does?

Pretty much the exact same thing. Once a fighter declares it is his or her …

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