Bing (photo) was just 21 years old and had six professional MMA fights. Photo: Disclosure
Asian organization ONE FC acted quickly and announced important changes following the death of fighter Yang Jian Bing, who faced dehydration issues before a fight earlier this month. From the beginning of 2016, the event will prohibit its athletes from “cutting weight”, and will also constantly monitor the fighters’ situation.
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Next year, all ONE FC athletes will compete in the division that is appropriate to the weight they maintain during training. Fighters must regularly send their information via the internet, and during the week of the fights, they will undergo “random weigh-ins”. Such checks will take place up to three hours before the fights, and, if the athlete is outside the weight range for their category, they will not be authorized to fight.
ONE FC executive director, Victor Cui explained the reasons for the change. “We believe that, through the implementation of this new weigh-in program, our athletes will enjoy healthier and safer lives inside and outside the cage. I invite the other two largest global MMA organizations, Bellator and UC, to follow in our footsteps in protecting their athletes and eliminating the process of weight loss through dehydration,” he stated.
The first event to be held under these rules will be ONE FC 36, which will take place on January 23 in Changsa, China. No fights were announced for the attraction.
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