One Championship has always been ahead of the UFC and western fighting promotions for its implementation of hydration checks to discourage weight cutting amongst fighters.

This method has been somewhat controversial, but more often largely supported by the combat sports community. Weight cutting has long been regarded as extremely dangerous and even life threatening, and has come under serious fire after videos such as Cris Cyborg’s weight cutting routine went viral and deeply disturbed the MMA community.

Due to this backlash, One’s progressive approach to weight cutting and fighter safety has received mostly positive feedback. However, with so many fighters missing weight or failing hydration tests on this past card, it raises some questions. 

To protect fighters’ health and discourage weight cutting, One Championship has weight classes 10 pounds higher than what they traditionally would be. For example, the Bantamweight limit which is usually 135 pounds, is 145 pounds. Additionally, during fight week, when fighters would usually be starving and dehydrating themselves to make weight, One subjects athletes to three hydration tests throughout the week, the last being on fight night if they failed one of the earlier tests.

If the fighter fails to pass the hydration test, they will not be allowed to compete. It was clear from this event, that one seems to be strictly upholding this standard as it makes its way over to the world of western combat sports, where weight cutting is still considered a necessary part of the fight game- even if it means holding back massive stars such as Rodtang. 

One Championship has long been awaiting its arrival to the states, so debuting its deal with Amazon Prime by headlining former UFC Champion and American favorite, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and including stars such as Rodtang, this seemed like the perfect opportunity. However, with so many fighters including Rodtang missing weight, failing hydration tests, and controversy such as images and videos circling Twitter of fighters wearing sauna suits and running to dehydrate cut weight (which is illegal under One’s rules), it was a tough start.

However, hopefully, One will be able to recover and showcase some of its amazing talents, which are still largely unknown by many American combat sports fans.