The dangers of rapid extreme weight cutting in combat sports are well documented. Kidney failure, heart attacks, and even deaths are attributed to the practice. Regulatory responses to date have been inconsistent and have failed to meaningfully weed out the well-entrenched practices.
This week a regulator used their power to suspend a fighter who revealed the depths of their pre-bout weight cut.
Adam Piccolotti was handed a unanimous victory against Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 274 on February 19, 2022. Following the victory, Piccolotti revealed the arduous weight cut he underwent pre-bout, noting he vomited multiple times and even posted video of him throwing up during the cut.
This video and post came to the attention of the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation who oversaw the bout. Director Mike Mazzulli, who is also the current ABC President, suspended Piccolotti along with his licensed seconds (cornermen) for the extreme cut.
I reached out to Mazzulli who shared the details of the suspension. The reason given for the suspension was a weight cut with Dehydration to the point he was sick and could not walk. A 6-month suspension was handed out, with Piccolotti being required to provide clearance by a Nephrologist, new EKG, and physicals before being cleared to compete in the weight class again.
Below is the officially listed suspension on the ABC database as shared with me by Mazzulli.
Author Erik Magraken is a British Columbia litigation lawyer, combat sports law consultant, combat sports law blogger, and deeply, deeply appreciated UGer.
