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 (25-15 MMA, 13-10 UFC)
Light heavyweight (205lbs): 13-9 (UFC), Interim Light heavyweight Title Challenger, Missed Weight 1x
Heavyweight (265lbs): 0-1 (UFC)
Ovince St. Preux is a long-time staple of the UFC’s light heavyweight division. OSP has seen success at 205 for many years and even had the opportunity to challenge for the Ultimate Fighting Championship Interim Light Heavyweight Title.
Last year ‘OSP’ took on Ben Rothwell in his first octagon bout at heavyweight. St. Preux weighed in at a whopping 240.5lbs for the fight giving fans a look at just how big of a light heavyweight the 6’3″ 38-year-old is.
The bout with Rothwell didn’t go Ovince’s way, but when he moved back down to light heavyweight a few months later, he successfully earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his KO of Alonzo Menifield.
Unfortunately in OSP’s most recent fight he missed weight coming in at 207.5lbs, and to add insult to injury, was finished by Jamahal Hill. For UFC Vegas 30, St. Preux will be moving back up to try his hand at heavyweight again against Tanner Boser (in a short notice bout that was originally supposed to be a light heavyweight affair).
