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.
Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
Welterweight (170lbs): 1-0 (UFC), 3-0 (MMA)
Catchweight (176lbs): 1-0 (MMA)
Middleweight (185lbs): 2-0 (UFC)
Khamzat Chimaev seemingly took the UFC by storm in 2020 when he burst onto the scene with three fights and three finishes in different weight classes. At least before ultimately being derailed by a bad case of COVID-19 with lingering effects towards the end of the year.
For UFC 267 Khamzat Chimaev is back in his prime division. Or in my opinion, the weight class where he belongs for the time being (170lbs). At 6’2″ with a 75″ reach Khamzat has a big lanky frame and at 27 years old is able to take off weight pretty quickly.
For Khamzat’s only welterweight fight in the UFC thus far, he did it on an extremely shortened turnaround of just ten days. Chimaev even had a high-ranking Leon Edwards fight lined up multiple times so 170lbs would be the ideal place to stay for the time being.
