
Prominent Asian mixed martial arts promoter One Championship announced Thursday it is banning weight-cutting by dehydration, weeks after one of its fighters died, reportedly following an attempt to make the weight for a bout.
China-born Yang Jian Bing, 21, who was due for a Manila bout, collapsed on December 10 and was taken to a hospital where he died a day later.
Philippine authorities this week said a heart attack caused his death.
One Championship's statement about the ban and its new weight-tracking programme did not mention Yang.
"By banning weight cutting by dehydration, we are leading the way globally for enhanced safety standards for professional MMA athletes," said One Championship chief executive officer Victor Cui in a statement.
One Championship said it would regularly monitor its fighters' weight as a way of reducing the widespread practice of fighters inching their way into categories by dehydrating themselves.
They will be weighed three hours before an event and can be disqualified if they do not fit within their weight class.
This will replace the practice used in many combat sports, such as boxing, where competitors need to meet weight limits at just one weigh-in, allowing them to dehydrate themselves beforehand.
"I invite the other two major global MMA organisations, Bellator and UFC, to follow in our footsteps to protect athletes and to eliminate the process of weight cutting by dehydration," Cui said.
Based in Singapore, One Championship maintains a stable of fighters signed to exclusive contracts for fights broadcast on cable television.
It claims to be Asia’s largest MMA promoter.
Source: AFP
GMT 18:30 2017 Tuesday ,26 December
FIFA trial: New York jury acquits former Peru soccer bossGMT 13:18 2017 Tuesday ,26 December
Early drama as Sydney to Hobart fleet race to break recordGMT 20:25 2017 Monday ,25 December
Klopp urges Liverpool to focus on Euro ambitionsGMT 18:35 2017 Monday ,25 December
Mutko suspends Russian football role to fight Olympic lifetime banGMT 10:11 2017 Monday ,25 December
Federer, Nadal shine as rivals hobble into 2018GMT 19:22 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Southampton's Austin charged with violent conductGMT 18:02 2017 Sunday ,24 December
'Tongan Bear' Uhila extends Clermont contractGMT 17:07 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Serena Williams to make competitive return in Abu Dhabi next week
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor