UFC fighter calls for major weight mistakes leading to suspensions

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada – As new rules are introduced beginning with UFC Fight Night 246, Jasmine Jasudavicius suggests one more thing.

Jasudavicius (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) will face Ariane da Silva (17-9 MMA, 6-6 UFC) in the prelims on Saturday (ESPN+) at Rogers Place. Two new rules will make their UFC debut on Saturday as 12-6 elbows will be allowed for the first time in Unified Rules of MMA history at UFC Fight Night 246. Additionally, a “grounded fighter” is redefined as an athlete who has any part of their body on the ground other than their hands or feet.

“I’m a big fan of the ruleset being changed to that, and I definitely implemented it,” Jasudavicius told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the UFC Fight Night 246 media day.

Jasudavicius would like to see a higher penalty for weight violations, especially big ones. At UFC 297, Jasudavicius was scheduled to face Priscila Cachoeira at flyweight, but the fight was moved to bantamweight after Jasudavicius revealed that Cachoeira was having trouble making weight. In the end, Jasudavicius submitted Cachoeira to receive a Performance of the Night bonus.

“I think it’s more of a penalty for missing weight,” Jasudavicius said. “Like the guy last week who lost 10 pounds, that’s crazy. There has to be more responsibility than just money. Like it should be a suspension or something.

“I think half the battle is making weight, and for people who are professional and do it, I understand, yeah, there are some failures and stuff, and that happens. “But there has to be something there, I think be on it. I don’t know what, but something.”

For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC Fight Night 246 event hub.