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.
Deiveson “Deus Da Guerra” Figueiredo (20-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC)
Flyweight (125lbs): 9-1 (UFC), UFC Flyweight Champion, Missed weight 1 time
Deiveson Figueiredo has only missed weight a single time in the UFC. This weigh-in miss happened ahead of his first title bout with Joesph Benavidez back in Febuary when he weighted in at 127.5lbs for a title bout. Deiveson brutally KO’d his opponent the next night but thanks to missing weight on the scale was ineligible to win the belt.
After successfully making weight and again taking care of Benavidez to capture the belt, Figueiredo made championship weight for a second time ahead of his first title defense against Alex Perez.
Fresh off his win just three weeks ago at UFC 255, a first-round submission finish over the DWCS alum, Figueiredo is now looking for the fastest title defense turnaround in UFC history. Deiveson has already talked about being able to make weight as early as Tuesday during the fight week for UFC 256 and such a quick turnaround could actually end up helping his weight cut, if nothing else. This presumption was confirmed on Wednesday December 9, during pre fight interviews when Figueiredo told reporters including Cageside Press that he has just been doing a lot of technical training, in order to not tire him out and maintain weight ahead of his first title defense.
