Purpose
Weight classes exist in combat sports to promote fair competition between similarly matched opponents. An increased risk of injury arises when opponents are mismatched or compete with significant body mass differences. Contestants miss weight when incapable of weighing-in with a body weight (kg) that falls within a previously agreed weight class, at a predetermined weigh-in time.
There are a variety of reasons why contestants may miss weight including:
- agreeing to inappropriate weight classes for their body size;
- agreeing to unrealistic timeframes to safely reduce their body weight; or
- deliberately attempting to manipulate a weight class.
Scope
This policy applies to all contestants, trainers, mangers, matchmakers, promoters and contests pursuant to the Combat Sports Act 1987 (Act) and Combat Sports Regulations 2004 (Regulations).
Legislative background
Promoters are required to submit contestant weight classes as part of the contest permit application process required by section 44(2)(c) of the Act and Regulation 17C(f). Prescribed weight classes consist of both an upper and lower limit as listed in Schedule 2 of the Regulations and rule 15 or 16 of the Commission’s Contest Rules (Boxing, Kickboxing, MMA and Muay Thai) or as contained within approved sanctioning body rules.
Contestants must attend and submit to a pre-contest (initial) weigh-in, in accordance with sections 48 and 50 of the Act. Promoters have a legal duty under section 51 of the Act to ensure that no contestant is permitted to participate in a contest unless the contestant has submitted to a pre-contest weigh-in.
Process
Nominating weight classes
Contestants or trainers must nominate to the promoter or matchmaker a suitable and safe weight class when negotiating a contest bout. Promoters must provide to the Commission, via the Part 2 permit application, the agreed weight class for each proposed bout. The weight classes nominated by contestants or trainers and submitted by promoters must be strictly in accordance with both the upper and lower prescribed weight limits (kg). Single values, catch weights or weight classes that do not accord with the Commission’s Contest Rules or the approved sanctioning body rules, are not permitted.
Prevailing weigh-in rules
The Commission’s Contest Rules provide the official weigh-in process and requirements for
weighing-in. Sanctioning body rules may contain different weigh-in protocols but are only ever
approved by the Minister on the condition that the Commission’s Contest Rules will prevail in the
interests of health and safety.
As weigh-ins and weight requirements are deemed by the Commission to be a health and safety
concern, the Commission’s weigh-in rules prevail and apply to all contests, including those run
under approved sanctioning body rules. However, sanctioning body weight classes, differing from
the Commission’s weight classes, will be accepted providing they contain both an upper and lower
limit.
Missed weight
If a contestant cannot make weight (misses weight at the weigh-in) by less than or equal to 5% of
the upper weight class limit, and their opponent does make weight, then only upon mutual
agreement (between the 2 opponents, their trainers and the promoter) the bout may still proceed.
If a contestant misses weight by more than 5% of the nominated upper weight class limit, and their
opponent does make weight, then as a health and safety concern over the gap weight created
between opponents, the Commission will not allow the bout to proceed. If a promoter does not agree
to withdraw the bout from the contest card the Commission will suspend the contest permit in
accordance with section 47A(b) of the Act.
| Weight class examples (kg) | Upper | 5% (0.05 x upper) | Missed weight — upon mutual agreement
bout can proceed up to | Missed weight — bout cannot
proceed |
|---|
| Muay Thai Lightweight: 59.0 — 61.2 | 61.2 | 3.0 | 61.2 + 3.0 = 64.2 kg | >64.2 kg |
| Boxing Welterweight: 63.5 — 66.7 | 66.7 | 3.3 | 66.7 + 3.3 = 70.0 kg | >70.0 kg
|
| MMA Middleweight: 79.38 — 83.91 | 83.91 | 4.19 | 83.91 + 4.19 = 88.1 kg | >88.1 kg |
In addition, the Commission reserves the right to impose on any contestant who misses weight,
regardless of whether the bout was allowed to proceed or not, any of the following post-contest
conditions. These conditions will be subject to a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
- Compulsory proof of attendance with a registered dietician or nutritionist at the contestant’s
own expense or mandated completion of a nutritional education course, as approved by the
Commission, prior to competing in any further contest.
- Weight class restrictions, additional medical clearance, weight testing requirements or any
other pre-contest weight related conditions.
The Commission reminds trainers, managers, matchmakers and promoters of their condition of
registration requirements to protect the health and safety of contestants by ensuring contestants
are not under or over matched with respect to experience, competence or weight.
Related pages
Combat Sports Commission Contest Rules
Guidelines and conditions for Combat Sports Registrants
Further information
For more information contact the Combat Sports
Commission on 61 8 6552 1604 , email
combatsport@dlgsc.wa.gov.au or find out more on the Combat Sports Commission webpage.