The difference between Cristiane Justino and Amanda Nunes, at least when it came to the UFC 232 pay-per-view (PPV) co-main event, was roughly a sack of potatoes, which believe it or not, still comes in that awful burlap sack.
For those mixed martial arts (MMA) fans not in the proverbial loop, California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) now re-weighs fighters on the day of the event, with a rule about coming in more than 10-percent of their weigh-in weights.
For example, Jon Jones tipped the scale at 204 pounds during Friday’s weigh ins, then rehydrated back up to 222.5 (8.5%) before stepping into the Octagon against Alexander Gustafsson, who went from 204.5 to 219.5 (6.4%).
The idea is to discourage extreme weight cutting while also avoiding scenarios like this. Any fighter who breaks the 10-percent mark could be faced with a recommendation from CSAC to compete at a higher weight.
Happened to this former champion back in 2017.
Here’s a look at all the before and after weights from the UFC 232 competitors (courtesy of MMA Fighting), which had Montel Jackson and Alexander Volkanovski as high as 14 percent, followed closely by Douglas Silva de Andrade at 13.6 percent.
UFC 232 Main Card on PPV
Jon Jones (204 pounds to 222.5 pounds = 8.5%) def. Alexander Gustafsson (204.5 to 219.5 = 6.4%)
Amanda Nunes (145 to 156 = 7.6%) def. Cris Cyborg (144 to 160.5 = 10.7%)
Michael Chiesa (170.5 to 188 = 9.9%) def. Carlos Condit (171 to 184.5 = 7.9%)
Corey Anderson (204.5 to 225 = 9.2%) def. Ilir Latifi (205.5 to 219 = 5.6%)
Alexander Volkanovski (145 to 166.5 = 14%) def. Chad Mendes (146 to 160.5 = 9.9%)UFC 232 Prelims on FOX Sports 1
Walt Harris (258.5 to 260 = 0.5%) def. Andrei Arlovski (245.5 to 248 = 1%)
Megan Anderson (146 to 157 = 7.5%) def. Cat Zingano (144 to 156 = 6.8%)
Petr Yan (135.5 to 149.5 = 9.9%) def. Douglas Silva de Andrade (134.5 to 154.5 = 13.6%)
Ryan Hall (154 to 156 = 0%) def. BJ Penn (156 to 163.5 = 4.8%)UFC 232 Prelims on UFC Fight Pass
Nathaniel Wood (135.5 to 147 = 8%) def. Andre Ewell (135.5 to 145 = 6.6%)
Uriah Hall (185.5 to 203.5 = 9.4%) def. Bevon Lewis (186 to 194.5 = 4.6%)
Curtis Millender (170 to 183.5 = 7.3%) def. Siyar Bahadurzada (171 to 184.5 = 7.9%)
Montel Jackson (137 to 155 = 14%) def. Brian Kelleher (135 to 148 = 8.8%)
Justino, who nearly killed herself to make a 140-pound catchweight before the promotion allowed women’s featherweight fights, was knocked out by the bantamweight “Lioness” in less than a minute, losing her 145-pound strap in the process (watch it).
For more results from UFC 232 click here.