CSAC holding weight-cutting summit with UFC, Bellator, WSOF and Invicta to attend

Making weight is part of a fighter’s job, however with incidents of weight cuts sending people to the hospital and even a case of death have officials concerned.

The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) and Association of Ringside Physicians (ARP) sent out invitations on Thursday for a weight-cutting and dehydration summit in Los Angeles on Dec. 17, held by the California State Athletic Commission. Part of the invitation said that it is “increasingly apparent that there are many dangerous and unhealthy practices associated with drastic weight cutting and dehydration.”

CSAC executive director Andy Foster and chairman John Carvelli received confirmations from UFC, Bellator, Invicta and World Series of Fighting to attend, according to MMA Fighting.

ABC president Mike Mazzulli who will be in attendance told MMA Fighting, “We want to address the issues before we get to the point where somebody dies,” Mazzulli said. “I think it’s long overdue to have the discussion in terms of what we can do. We all need to come up with something that’s in the best interest and safety of the fighters.”

From MMA Fighting:

Mazzulli floated the idea of adding weight classes or a minimum weight rule. Beginning on Jan. 1 in California, amateur MMA fighters will get tested for their lowest possible healthy weight, a la NCAA wrestlers. A fighter will then not be able to compete at any weight class below that weight.

Do you think fighters are overdoing weight cutting and endangering themselves? What do you think could be implemented? Add your opinion in the comment section below!