The California State Athletic Commission is introducing a new rule that will punish fighters who miss weight by taking a percentage of both their show purse and win bonus.
CSAC executive officer Andy Foster announced the change at a commission meeting on Tuesday, according to Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting.
Traditionally, a fighter who fails to make weight forfeits 20 percent of their show money to their scheduled opponent, with their win bonus remaining untouched. Under this new rule, the percentage would be deducted from the offender's combined show and win money.
The move is intended to act as a greater deterrent to fighters failing to make their contracted weight.
Foster told Raimondi that he and CSAC chairman John Carvelli are planning to propose an additional set of rules for review on May 16 that could include licensing fighters by weight class, random weight checks, and a pre-fight questionnaire asking fighters to disclose how many times they've missed weight in the past.
A fine greater than 20 percent is also being considered.
While the changes are meant to provide greater insurance to fighters who do make weight, not all of them are thrilled with the specifics. UFC featherweight Cub Swanson took to Twitter to point out that the CSAC also takes a share of the fines:
As long as the opponent gets all of it. My problem is that CA keeps half. Why? I don't f*ckin know why 😡 @marc_raimondi
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) March 14, 2017
