California commission passes plan to combat extreme weight cuts

The California State Athletic Commission unanimously approved a new 10-point plan to crack down on extreme weight cutting and dehydration during a Tuesday meeting, MMA Fighting's Marc Raimondi reports.

The commission's executive officer, Andy Foster, aims to launch the plan on June 15, making UFC 214 - set for July 29 in Anaheim - the first major MMA event to debut the newly voted-in rules.

Among the notable tenets of the CSAC's plan is a 20 percent fine on any bonuses awarded to a fighter who weighs in over the permissible limit, with the proceeds going to the opponent who made weight. The commission also reserves the right to recommend repeat offenders move up in weight.

In the event a fighter gains back more than 10 percent of their body weight after tipping the scales, the CSAC will once again suggest a change of division.

The plan also includes weight classes of 165, 175, 195, and 225 pounds, although the commission refrained from abolishing the "iconic" welterweight class of 170 pounds.

Attending physicians will also play a greater role, with the commission briefing them on weight classes and medical-committee recommendations prior to any CSAC-sanctioned medical exams. In other words, doctors will play a far more pivotal role in determining how much weight a fighter can cut before weighing in.

The newly approved package took a book out of the World Boxing Council's playbook, allowing weight checks 10 and 30 days out from bouts to ascertain whether a fighter can safely make the agreed-upon limit.

The UFC, Bellator MMA, and Invicta FC all pledged their support for the CSAC's efforts prior to Tuesday's meeting, although they won't be obligated to launch any of the new weight classes included in the reform, Raimondi reports.

The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports will recommend the plan at its annual summit in July.