Coker: Early weigh ins the ‘future of MMA’
Scott Coker: “Mr. Andy Foster of CSAC, along with Mike Mazzulli and other forward thinking athletic commissions around the U.S. deserve much praise for implementing the process.”
California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) executive director Andy Foster has taken the lead in identifying the culture of extreme weight cutting as the most dangerous problem in mixed martial arts, and in proposing a series of solutions. His latest step is to do morning weigh ins the day before an event, rather than the standard 5:00 p.m. This allows the body more time to fully rehydrate, a critical step in preventing concussion.
Response to the new protocol has been glowing, and several other forward thinking ACs are already instituting it, including Mohegan Sun, Kansas, and Missouri. The latest figure to voice support is Bellator MMA CEO Scott Coker.
“Here at Bellator, we are always looking to adapt and willing to embrace change within the sport of MMA, especially if it is beneficial for our world-class athletes,” wrote Coker in a statement to Marc Raimondifor MMA Fighting. “After the success we experienced during the sport’s first-ever early weigh-in at ‘Bellator 150: Kongo vs. Spartan’ in Kansas, it became obvious that this practice is not only the future of MMA, but is a simple change that’s making weight cutting safer.”
“Mr. Andy Foster of CSAC, along with [Association of Boxing Commission president] Mike Mazzulli and other forward thinking athletic commissions around the U.S. deserve much praise for implementing the process and Bellator is proud to continue to be at the forefront of the early weigh-in movement.”
The highly influential Nevada Athletic Commission, will vote next week on whether to adopt the new protocol. The UFC will presenting favorably at the meeting. If Nevada votes favorably, the earlier weigh in is likely to become the industry standard.