Like it or not, weight-cutting is deeply rooted in mixed martial arts. MMA adopted its weight-cutting from the sport of wrestling, where it is presumed to be very advantageous to be the biggest and strongest in your weight class. Known as the ‘fight before the fight,’ most UFC fighters cut anywhere from 5-25 pounds, with some fighters even in excess of 30 pounds.
Weight-cutting is the ultimate test of discipline and willpower. Many fighters in the sport consider it very unprofessional to miss weight. In this series, we will shine a light on fighters who cut a massive amount of weight, who have missed weight multiple times in the past, who have made weight-class changes, along with how the weight-cut and weigh-in could affect possible upcoming match-ups. Basically, every aspect of weight-cutting and how it affects the fight game.
Ovince “OSP” St. Preux (24-14 MMA, 12-9 UFC)
Lightheavyweight (205lbs): 12-8 (UFC), Interim Light heavyweight Title Challenger
Heavyweight (265lbs): 0-1 (UFC)
After being forced off the UFC Vegas 7 card just two weeks prior, due to a positive COVID test, St. Preux is back at UFC Vegas 9 to try again. Ovince is set to make his return to light heavyweight division. The ‘tweener’s’ last fight was his first at heavyweight, earlier this year against Ben Rothwell. Ovince lost a unanimous decision and weighed in at 240.5lbs. before the bout. St. Preux will now look to fight in the light-heavyweight division as he has for so many years against Alonzo Menifield.
