Foster: Weight cutting is a pointless reason to die
Andy Foster: “I’m concerned about somebody dying in the industry for no good reason. This is a pointless reason to risk your safety.”
On Tuesday California State Atheltic Commission executive director Andy Foster informed the commissioners that the fine for missing weight was increased from 20% of show money, to 20% of show and win combined. Foster cited the insufficient incentive for a fighter who shows up heavy, wins, and only has to give up 10%. Further, as the fine is split 50-50 between the commission and the other fighter, a fighter could make weight, lose to the larger fighter who didn’t suffer a full cut, and then get only 5% of the purse. Foster hopes the new fine will take some sting off them.
The change was enacted administratively, by adding language to bout agreements. It will be implemented as soon as new contract language is drafted.
In addition, and potentially far more far reaching, CSAC chairman John Carvelli has launched a sub-committee to go over a number of further steps that can be taken to address the culture of extreme weight cutting in MMA. Chairman Carvelli told
to further go over possible changes to California regulations with weight cutting in mind. Carvelli told Marc Raimondi for MMA Fighting that a set new rules could be perpared by the sub-committee by May 16, the date of the commission’s next meeting.
Foster, a former pro fighter, former trainer, former manager, former everything but ring card girl, has been leading the fight against weight cutting. Potential proposals include:
•Licensing fighters by weight class with additions to the licensing application, so that if a fighter is booked for a fight lower than their desired class, it would need clearance by a physician;
•Random weight checks;
•Asking fighters whether they have ever missed weight before in the application questionnaire;
•Having promotion matchmakers submit the weights of the fighter to the commission when the bout is signed; and,
•An increase in the fine beyond 20%.
Foster’s efforts go beyond the great state of California. He is the chairman of the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports medical committee. Last year new weight classes were recommended by the committee (125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195, 205, 225, 265). However, they were tabled, over less than full support from some industry stakeholders.
Foster’s track record is excellent. He convened a weight-cutting summit in December 2015 that recommended early weigh-ins; the UFC adopted them in June of 2016. Expect more of Foster’s changes to become industry standards; the only question is time. If a prominent fighter dies, it will happen immediately. If the damage is slower, to the organs, ongoing everywhere, over time, then it will take longer.
I’m concerned about somebody dying in the industry for no good reason, said Foster. This is a pointless reason to risk your safety.