Demian Maia (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Due to concerns that early weigh-ins are actually encouraging fighters to cut more weight, Dana White is reporting that the UFC is looking to return to the old, weigh-in format.

In 2016, many commissions began having fighters weigh-in in the morning, rather than late afternoon. The hope was that in doing so, fighters would have more time to recover from cutting weight, before they fought the next day.

In recent months, however, there have been several, high profile cases of fighters missing weight, and encountering medical issues as a result. During the latest episode of the UFC’s podcast, White reported that the UFC wants to end the early-weight format (quotes via MMA Junkie):

“Yes, I do think it’s (the early weigh-ins), and guess what? We’re getting rid of it,” White said. “We’re looking at taking the weigh-ins back to the way they used to be so that when the (fighters) weigh in there at the (ceremonial weigh-ins), that will be it. That’ll be the real weigh-in.”

“Here’s what I believe: I believe any time you change something, everybody looks to take as much advantage as they can of the situation,” White said. “And I think that when we started doing morning weigh-ins, it was very good – everyone was making weight and it was great. And then people started cutting it closer and closer, thinking they can put on more weight because they have more time to recover. The reality is, it (expletive) everything up.”

The UFC President also said that they’re working with the commissions, in an effort to return to the previous weigh-in format.