GSP: One of us will die from weight cutting, CSAC proposes solution

Welterweight G.O.A.T. Georges St-Pierre appeared recently on episode 76 of the UFC Unfiltered podcast and discussed weight cutting in mixed martial arts. He is not a fan of the early weigh-ins believing they serve only to encourage bigger cuts.

I’m not a big fan of cutting weight,” said St-Pierre, as transcribed by MMAWeekly. “I always prioritize my health over my performance.

I believe the new weigh-in in the morning before the fight, I think it’s a bad thing. Because now guys, they see it as an opportunity to cut more weight. So, I think it’s a bad thing. I told Dana when I saw him that I don’t see it as a good thing.

I think they have to change it because one day someone will die. One day someone will die and it will affect all of us. It’s very bad for your health. There is a certain percentage of hydration in your body that is critical, that you can actually die if you’re past that point. It is very dangerous.

There have already been two deaths from weight cutting, and countless serious medical incidents. Fortunately, forward-thinking California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster is considering and implementing a long series of steps to address the issue.

A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8, and the detailed memorandum for agenda item #8 (page 67) provides a potential blueprint for a path out of the current process, which is bonkers. Both fighters cut dangerously, and then both rehydrate to weight a division up, at least, and then fight in a less than optimal state. That’s not rational.

Foster offers a potential alternative.

I directed staff to begin revisions of the Commission’s Professional Athlete License Application to request of athletes the weight class (or the lowest weight class if more than one) they plan to compete in. Commission staff is making similar changes to the Athlete Physical which will direct the physician to certify that the weight class the athlete has requested to be licensed is an appropriate weight for the athlete to compete in based on their body composition.

Furthermore, I have also asked our doping collection partners, USADA and VADA, as well as CSAC Doping Control Officers, to provide me the feasibility of collecting weights when they administer and collect out-of-competition drug testing in the field.

We are also exploring the possibility of assigning an Athletic Inspector to check the weights of athletes while conducting neurological testing during the opening of “fight week” for the larger events. The Commission may consider proposing regulations, if sufficient authority does not currently exist, to authorize random weight checks to determine actual “walk around” weight and mandatory weight class restrictions for fighters who miss weight.

In summary, some measure that can be taken to ensure the health and safety of professional athletes can begin with the following:
1) Changes to bout agreement to obtain parity with boxing
2) Possibly increasing the financial penalty for missing weight and potentially adding a license suspension
3) Licensing by weight class
4) Requested Weight Class certified as safe and healthy by the licensing physician on the licensing physical
5) Random weight checks in the field for licensed athletes
6) Mandatory weight class restrictions for fighters who miss weight

The Commission has already taken steps to address dehydration and rehydration issues with the regulation package approved last year; however, more needs to be done. This amendment to the bout agreement to obtain parity with boxing is one of many steps towards our goal of fighters safely competing.

These are rational and prudent steps. The only reason they are not being enacted everywhere is the lack of a high-profile death. It would behoove the sport to not wait until a UFC fighter dies before aggressively addressing a process that is dangerous, unsound, and produces worse fights.