Despite being attractive to the public, MMA weigh-ins are the subject of great controversy. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
The California Athletic Commission approved new rules that aim to change the way MMA views weight cuts before fights. Dehydration will be prohibited in fights sanctioned by the entity, as will rehydration through intravenous fluid.
Starting March 1, the California Commission will ask licensed doctors to test fighters for any signs of dehydration. Urine tests will also be carried out precisely with the aim of detecting a possible low amount of water in the body.
If the athlete in question fails the tests, they will have up to three hours to rehydrate. If a satisfactory level is not reached, the fight will be cancelled. Furthermore, the Commission also considers that intravenous fluid is not necessary for an athlete to rehydrate adequately.
The rules will be put into practice next month. However, as they are emergency in nature, they will be evaluated for a few months so that they can later be revised if necessary.
