NYSAC Updates Weigh-in Policy Following Daniel Cormier Towel Incident at UFC 210
The New York State Athlete Commission has taken a few steps to
ensure that there will be no repeat of the Daniel
Cormier towel-grabbing incident at future weigh-ins for mixed
martial arts and boxing events.
At UFC 210 weigh-ins on April 7, Cormier initially tipped the scales at 206.2 pounds ahead of his light heavyweight title defense against Anthony Johnson. Minutes later, “DC” checked in at 205 pounds on the nose, but he appeared to push down on the towel held in front of him, which could have manipulated the reading on the scale. Cormier claimed to be unaware of such a trick.
“I didn’t want you guys to see my junk,” Cormier said. “What does
doing that do? I don’t understand. It’s not something I’ve done
before. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t show my junk.”
Regardless Cormier’s intent, the NYSAC has instituted a few changes to its weigh-in procedure in light of that incident. According to a document amended on April 13, “when on the scale, the combatant shall stand still with his or her feet flat upon the scale and shall not make physical contact with any person or object other than the scale. No other person shall touch the scale when the combatant is in the act of weighing in. While on the scale, the combatant shall follow any direction issued by the commission.”
Newsday’s Mark La Monica was the first to report the change. Cormier went on to defeat Johnson via rear-naked choke at the 3:37 mark of round 2 in the UFC 210 main event. Under the commission’s original guidelines, Cormier would have had two hours to make 205 pounds after missing weight the first time.
Any athlete that “fails to act in good faith, engages in disruptive behavior or violates any rule or directive of the commission during the official weigh-in” could face disciplinary action. Additionally, a fighter can be asked to retake the scale if it is believed that his or her weight was not properly assessed.
Cormier will return to the Octagon to face Jon Jones in a light heavyweight title rematch at UFC 214 on July 29 in Anaheim, Calif.
At UFC 210 weigh-ins on April 7, Cormier initially tipped the scales at 206.2 pounds ahead of his light heavyweight title defense against Anthony Johnson. Minutes later, “DC” checked in at 205 pounds on the nose, but he appeared to push down on the towel held in front of him, which could have manipulated the reading on the scale. Cormier claimed to be unaware of such a trick.
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Regardless Cormier’s intent, the NYSAC has instituted a few changes to its weigh-in procedure in light of that incident. According to a document amended on April 13, “when on the scale, the combatant shall stand still with his or her feet flat upon the scale and shall not make physical contact with any person or object other than the scale. No other person shall touch the scale when the combatant is in the act of weighing in. While on the scale, the combatant shall follow any direction issued by the commission.”
Newsday’s Mark La Monica was the first to report the change. Cormier went on to defeat Johnson via rear-naked choke at the 3:37 mark of round 2 in the UFC 210 main event. Under the commission’s original guidelines, Cormier would have had two hours to make 205 pounds after missing weight the first time.
Any athlete that “fails to act in good faith, engages in disruptive behavior or violates any rule or directive of the commission during the official weigh-in” could face disciplinary action. Additionally, a fighter can be asked to retake the scale if it is believed that his or her weight was not properly assessed.
Cormier will return to the Octagon to face Jon Jones in a light heavyweight title rematch at UFC 214 on July 29 in Anaheim, Calif.
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