GAB to tighten grip on weight-shedding in MMA

MANILA, Philippines – The Games and Amusement Board is set to implement stricter rules regarding weight-cutting on the aftermath of the death of a mixed martial arts fighter who was supposed to fight in the ONE Championship in December last year.

Robert San Diego, Pacific X-treme Combat (PXC) director for fight operations, on Tuesday cited the death of Chinese Yang Jiang Bing due to complications allegedly caused by his attempt to make weight cut.

"I think now the GAB is going to be a little stricter in terms of cutting weight because of that incident," said San Diego during Tuesday's public service Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Shakey's Malate.

"I would say that we at the PXC would comply to everything the GAB will implement, whatever they need, be it a CT scan, chest x-ray, we will make sure it’s done," he added.

San Diego said the death of Yang should be an eye opener for MMA.

"Everyone should be a little careful now in implementing weight-cutting measures because we're not just protecting the sport, but also the fighters who all serve as the life blood of MMA," he said.

Because of the unfortunate incident, ONE Championship has instituted a new weigh-in program that bans weight reducing by dehydration to prevent another incident from occurring in the future.

Meanwhile, San Diego announced they will have a new venue partner in Solaire Resort and Casino where PXC-51 on Saturday.

The card will be bannered by Filipinos Crisanto Pitpitunge and Jinel Lausa fighting for the vacant flyweight title and Guam's Kyle Aguon defending his bantamweight crown against South Korea's Kawn Ho Kwak.

San Diego said it will be held at the 1,400-seater Solaire Ballroom.