The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has seen a significant increase in missed weights over the past two years, ever since the promotion began implementing early morning weigh-ins rather than afternoon weigh-ins. That being said, the promotion is now backing down from their initial decision to revert back to afternoon weigh-ins.
UFC President Dana White initially broke the news that the UFC was reverting back to afternoon weigh-ins over the UFC Unfiltered podcast.
“We’re getting rid of it. We’re looking at taking the weigh-ins back to the way they used to be. So when the guys weigh in there [in the afternoon], that will be it. That’ll be the real weigh-in.”
However, a memo obtained by ESPN that was sent by UFC’s vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky details the UFC’s decision to retain early morning weigh-ins for UFC 226 and The Ultimate Fighter Finale each being held during the first week of July.
“We appreciate the feedback we’ve received to date as we continue to work with athletic commissions and federations to actively analyze the issue and consider implementing new policies to further support safe weight management practices. Going forward, UFC athletes and support will be notified well in advance of any policy changes surrounding weigh-in times and weight management policy.”
