Bellator lightweight Adam Piccolotti has been suspended for six months after posting a video of himself being sick during his recent weight cut.
Piccolotti got back in the win column at Belllator 274 last weekend by outpointing Georgi Karakhanyan.
But his win has been overshadowed after posting a now-deleted graphic video of himself being sick several times whilst he cut weight for the fight.
Mike Mazzulli, director of the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation, revealed Piccolotti will also be fined $2,500 and his cornermen will have their corner licenses suspended.
The graphic video shows Piccolotti being helped inside a portable sauna by his team. It then cuts to the fighter throwing up yellow fluid onto a towel.
GRAPHIC WARNING:
He is then helped back to his feet by his cornerman before needing assistance to take off his clothes and re-enter the portable sauna.
And Mazzulli admitted it was sad to see the lengths Piccolotti went to in order to make the 156lb limit for his fight.
“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.”
Bellator have requested that Piccolotti, who has fought at lightweight for his whole career, should take his next bout at 160lb.
The 33-year-old will need medical clearance, a report from a kidney specialist and an electrocardiogram before being permitted to fight again.
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And Mazzulli added the video of Piccolotti sets a bad example for amateur fighters who look up to him as a professional.
“My biggest problem is what is he showing the amateur fighter that looks up to him as an elite fighter,” he said.
“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.”
The result of Piccolotti's unanimous decision win over Karakhanyan will not be changed by Bellator.
