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.
Mackenzie Dern (11-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC)
Strawweight (115lbs.): 6-1 (UFC), Missed weight 1x
Mackenzie Dern has been one of the standouts in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division since her much anticipated debut with the promotion in 2018.
At 5’4″ with a 63″ reach Dern has missed weight just one time in the UFC. It came in 2018 ahead of her fight against Amanda Cooper when she came in at whopping 123lbs. Fast forward a year to Dern giving birth to her first child in 2019, and despite that incredible feat, she has not missed weight again in the UFC. It seems as if Dern has clearly turned a corner.
Again, Dern hasn’t missed weight in over 3.5 years but she will remain a fighter to keep an eye on as she reaches the age that most people’s metabolism begins to slow down. Dern is now 28 years old and rapidly ascending the ranks at strawweight, but do not be surprised to see her move up to flyweight in the near future. (Reguardless of how well she is doing at 115lbs. at said time.)
