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MMA fighter suspended after being sick 20 times during savage weight cut
Published 17:57 24 Feb 2022 GMT
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Piccolotti will be fined $2,500 for his actions
MMA fighter Adam Piccolotti has been suspended for six months after posting a video of himself throwing up several times during a recent weight cut. The video, which was uploaded to and later deleted from Piccolotti's Instagram, showed the 33-year-old throwing up yellow liquid onto a towel while being helped inside a small - presumably heated - tent. Piccolotti can be seen being helped back to his feet before re-entering the sauna and stripping to his pants. Mike Mazzulli, director of the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation, has said Piccolotti will be fined $2,500 (£1,869.09) for his actions. As reported by the Mirror, his cornermen are set to have their respective licenses suspended as a result.
"Something needs to be done to deter extreme weight cutting," Mazzulli told MMA Fighting.
"After looking at that video, I was appalled that a fighter would go that extent to lose weight.
"It’s a sad commentary that a fighter would go to that extent to lose that kind of weight and feel that it’s a badge of honour to do it.
"I thought we’d come a long way since 2002 and we no longer allow rubber suits, IV rehydration, but we still have fighters doing what he did."
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Bellator have requested that Piccolotti competes in a higher weight division in his next bout, despite him fighting at lightweight for his entire career.
However, he will only be allowed to compete again if he receives medical clearance, a report from a kidney specialist and an electrocardiogram.
"My biggest problem is what is he showing the amateur fighter that looks up to him as an elite fighter," he added.
"It’s not ok. It’s no longer ok. It’s unacceptable. And I would never have known it unless he posted it. Which is sad because he fought at Mohegan, it’s my duty to do something.
"He doesn’t understand the ramification of what could happen in the future. Renal failure, kidney failure, I try to stress to these fighters, take care of what you have."
Piccolotti's unanimous decision victory over Georgi Karakhanyan at Belllator 274 will not be overturned by Bellator, although the win has been overshadowed by the now-deleted clip.
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