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Two weigh-ins for WEC 43?

948 views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  Wookie 
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#2 ·
WEC 43 fighters take note: Same-day weigh-ins are a real possibility for next week's event.

WEC 43, which takes place Sept. 2 at the Covelli Center in Youngstown, Ohio, will be regulated by the Ohio Athletic Commission. Unlike some regulatory bodies, the Ohio commission does two sets of weigh-ins – one on the eve of the show, and one on the day of the event – and fighters (in all weight classes) can't gain more than 13 pounds between the two times.

OAC Executive Director Bernie Profato today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the second weigh-ins are sometimes waived, but as of now, WEC 43 fighters are still scheduled for both sets.

The weigh-in rule, in theory, curbs fighters from undergoing significant weight cuts. Most fans, including Profato, have heard the tales of, say, a 185-pounder who actually weighs 210 or 215 pounds on fight night because of a massive weigh cut and quick re-hydration.

Profato, though, said he's seen little of that. And keep in mind that Ohio regulates more MMA shows and oversees more licensed fighters, by far, than any other state commission in the country.

"Only two people were over 13 (pounds), and both of them were able to run it off and get back down (to weight) rather quickly," said Profato, who's overseen the sport since the state began regulating MMA in 2005.

That should be even less of a problem for the WEC, which focuses on the lighter weight classes and doesn't promote bouts any heavier than 155 pounds. With smaller fighters, even big weigh cuts rarely cross the 10-pound mark.

The commission does sometimes waive the second set of weigh-ins – about a third of the time, Profato estimated – but his inspectors don't find out for sure until they're on site for the first set of weigh-ins.

In fact, the second set of weigh-ins were waived for all four of the UFC events held in Ohio to date (three in Columbus and one in Cincinnati). But although the WEC is a sister promotion of the UFC, that doesn't mean it'll get the waiver as well.

As Profato said, he takes a similar approach to the weigh-ins as he does to drug testing.

"It's better to keep them thinking it's a possibility," Profato said. "Besides, our only priority, with all our regulations, is to assure the safety of our fighters."

Profato said that he often consults with physicians about issues related to that safety. He said the physicians have told him that during a weight cut, some of the last fluids to be replenished are the ones that line and cushion the brain.

"If you don't have the conditioning and you're not re-hydrated, you're getting cracked with nothing to break the concussion force," he said. "I think [the fighters] realize that, and that's why they're starting to fight closer to their actual weights."

As a reminder, WEC 43 weigh-ins take place at 4 p.m. ET on Sept. 1 at the Covelli Center. MMAjunkie.com will be on scene for full coverage of the festivities, which are free and open to the public.

For complete coverage of WEC 43, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.
Interesting, I was wondering when they would do something like this.
 
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