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.
Julian “Juicy J” Erosa (25-8 MMA, 3-4 UFC)
Featherweight (145lbs): 1-3 (UFC)
Catchweight (150lbs): 1-0 (UFC)
Lightweight (155lbs): 1-1 (UFC), The Ultimate Fighter Season 22 Compettior
Julian Erosa has been around the UFC for some time now. As a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter Season 22, he amassed a 3-1 record on the show. Erosa competed on TUF 22 in the lightweight division. But once Erosa made it to the UFC, he moved down to the featherweight division.
After being released from the UFC and compiling an eight fight stint away from the promotion, he returned via a Contender Series appearance in 2018. Again, Erosa competed at 145lbs. But since earning his latest UFC contract, Erosa has taken a fight at both 155lbs and 150lbs, while predominately fighting in the featherweight division.
Erosa stands at 6’1″ and has aa 74.5″ reach. Julian is now 31 years old and though he has not missed weight, would definitely be classified as a ‘tweener’ fighter.
