MMA Fighting reports that the California State Athletic Commission has enacted a new rule that will fine a fighter’s win bonus in addition to his or her show money when that fighter misses weight.
Commission head Andy Foster announced the new rule at a commission meeting on Tuesday.
Via MMA Fighting:
CSAC fined fighters’ 20 percent for missing weight, with the money coming out of their show money only. Half of that percentage went to the opponent and the other half went to the commission. Now, in addition to that, a fighter who misses weight will have his or her win bonus fined 20 percent, with that full total going to the opponent. The win bonus fine will only come into play, of course, if the fighter who misses weight is victorious in the bout.
Foster indicated that the win bonus for the fighter missing weight should be considered a part of the purse money and should be awarded to the fighter that made weight.
The new rule shall be implemented in bout agreements once contracts reflecting the changes are drafted and approved.
In addition, the committee is looking into ways to address extreme weight-cutting and hope to have more information at their next meeting this May.
Payout Perspective:
This is an interesting twist to addressing the issue of weight-cutting. Of course, the rule might negatively impact the overall goal of ensuring that fighters safely cut weight. Certainly, fighters not making weight should be punished but the commission also wants to ensure the health and safety of fighters. If a fighter knows they will lose more money for not making weight, it might lead to extreme measures which might cause further harm to a fighter trying to make weight. Obviously, for the fighter making weight, the extra money makes sense.
As an alternative to the fine, there could be an alternative of expanding to more weight divisions. But, we will see how this rule plays out in California and if other commissions adopt it.
Good move in my opinion. Make it 50% and nobody will miss weight
Very true fight fan