One thing I will say that reinforces yours; this has to be taken on a case-by-case basis. No one is getting seriously injured at the top level of MMA (yet) and those guys are the worst weight cutters around. 20lbs is basic for them!
I'm not suggesting that at all, Im saying that fighters should fight at their natural weight, whatever that is. If you can rehydrate by 18lbs from weigh in to fight time then the fighter is fighting outside his weight division and is trying to gain advantage by using his ability to drain and then rehydrate. The only fighters who are in any danger are the ones who try to play the system, as far as I'm concerned thats their lookout. I'm not seeing a downside here At the end of the day they are grown men who make their own decisions, it is sad when a man gets injured, but what about the lad who is fighting at his natural and healthy weight who is risking injury by having to compete against men who can outweigh them by a stone on fight night.
That completely contradicts: I agree with you in principle - fighters should fight at their 'natural' weights. I'm just not convinced that a same day weigh-in necessarily solves that.
Absolutely, it's definitely case by case. I think the 'extras' help with the weight loss in MMA, hence why they cut so much. I suppose if everyone is using them, they all get back in the ring at a similar weight (albeit far above the weight on the scales).
From a sporting perspective, I agree with Flea Man that same day weigh-ins would make for far fairer fights. I know the alleged reason for introducing 24 hour weigh-ins was due to safety concerns, but it seems equally likely that it was to avoid last-minute fight cancellations. Just like the reduction of championship fights from 15 to 12 rounds, which was claimed to be for safety reasons but was really to fit TV schedules. I don't have the scientific knowledge to have an informed opinion on the issue, but clearly something needs to be done to curb the excessive weight-cutting and dehydration that is so prominent in the sport. It's dangerous for both the drainer and his undersized opponent, and makes for unfair fights IMO. But this is boxing, so I'm sure nothing will change unless there's a financial incentive to do so.
SuperSi80 - post more often. 19 posts in 18 months isn't enough when you clearly have interesting points to share. :good
Little bit of a lesson for people calling fighters bums - these lads put everything on the line to earn money and entertain us - I take my hat off to all of them!
I think same day and 24 hour weigh ins hold their own perils in different ways. The ideal being that each fighter has a mystical "fighting weight" I guess but how to determine that for each fighter?
It gives an interesting slant on the weight divisions and who would be a top fighter I think. Would people be raving about Alvarez as much if he had to face guys like Froch? How would a heavyweight Tony Bellew fare?
I've already done that thread. Called something like 'with old school soul who would be the best' it ran and ran :good