New York makes changes to weigh-in procedures after Cormier’s Towel-Gate incident
The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) has made several changes to the way weigh-in procedures are to be conducted. The policy changes come after UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier’s weight cutting miracle at UFC 210 on April 7.
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.
During the UFC 210 weigh-ins, Cormier who was defending his title against Anthony Johnson, appeared on scale just minutes before the official weigh-ins were to end. The champion weighed in at 206.5 pounds, missing the championship mark of 205 pounds. Cormier went to the back of the room briefly, came back out, stepped on the scale, and pushed down on the towel after undressing.
The trick is an old wrestling trick where the athlete pushes down on the towel to help lift their body weight up off the floor, aiding in the contestant making their desired weight. Cormier states that he knew nothing about the trick which is hard to believe coming from an athlete who wrestled as the highest level.
“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.”
According to Sherdog, “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.”
