Bellator 194 will take place in two weeks at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut and it was revealed today that the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulations (MTDAR) has implemented new regulations that are parallel to the 10-point plan put into effect by the California State Athletic Commission and its director, Andy Foster.
For those who are not aware, Foster’s 10-point plan was put into place to address severe dehydration from extreme weight cutting and MTDAR Director Mike Mazzulli stated in today’s announcement that he hopes other state athletic commission will take the steps that he took today.
“We can look back to many fighters that have died from severe weight cutting, but two stand out to me,” Mazzulli stated in today’s announcement. “Yang Bing, December 2015 and 18 year old Jessica Lindsay, November 2017, not to mention the numerous fighters that have been hospitalized prior to even getting in the cage (Uriah Hall, Paul Daley, etc.). Over the years, I have spoken to numerous fighters and they told me the worst thing about the sport is not the fight night, but the weigh cut and the weigh-in. The industry must do something to change the culture, and this is one step to assist in the matter. I can only hope that many other Tribal and State Commissions come aboard in an effort to make combative sports safer.”
Below are the new regulations put into place today by the MTDAR.
- Licensing by Weigh Class: Request the MMA athlete to select the lowest weight class they intend to compete. The MTDAR pre-fight physical form will require the physician to certify the fighter can fight at the given weight class and it will be safe for the athlete.
- Second Day Weigh In: A second weigh check the day of the event to ensure fighters have not gained more than 10% plus 1 pound of their body weight between the official weigh in and the vent. The 2nd weigh in will occur in upon the fighter reporting the event. Fighters who gain so much weight between weigh in and the fight may be recommended to move to the next weight class for future bouts as directed by the ringside physician.
- Early Weigh In: Early weigh-ins to allow maximum time for rehydration and mental preparation for the combat sports competition.
- Additional Weigh Classes: Add weight classes 165,175,195,225. Along with Licensing by weight classes and physician certification, the new weight classes are essential so that each individual athlete has more options to choose a class that is suitable for them.
- Weight Class Restrictions: Fighters who miss weight more than once, may be required to compete in a higher weight class until a physician certifies the weight is appropriate and is approved by the Commission for competition in the weight class.
- Check Dehydration: Check the fighters for dehydration by specific gravity and/or physical by Ringside Physician at the second day weigh in check.
- Education: At the weigh-in have the medical staff speak on the negative impact of rapid (severe) weight loss.
It should be noted that Bellator MMA has hired Mazzulli to regulate Bellator events that take place outside of the United States and per Mazzulli, the new regulations adopted today by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulations will be in effect for those Bellator events.