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 select 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.
Jalin “The Tarantula” Turner (13-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC)
Lightweight (155lbs.): 4-4 (UFC), 1-0 (DWCS), 2-0 (BELLATOR), Missed weight 1x in UFC
Catchweight (165lbs.): 1-0 (UFC)
Welterweight (170lbs.): 1-0 (UFC)
Jalin Turner is a very skilled, up-and-coming lightweight that has a freakishly large frame for the weight class. Turner stands at 6’3″ tall and has a 75.5″ reach and yet somehow manages to weigh in at 155lbs.
Jalin has predominantly competed at lightweight for much of his professional MMA career, which began in 2016. Although Turner’s first fight in the UFC, after his Contender Series fight, was a bout at 170lbs against Vicente Luque in 2018.
Turner missed weight ahead of his most recent bout when he weighed in at 158lbs. To make matters worse, Jalin would also lose a split decision the following night to Dan Hooker.
Now in a twist of fate, with Dan Hooker injured, it was announced on November 23rd that Jalin Turner would be stepping in to face Bobby Green on December 2nd. Jalin revealed at UFC Austin’s media day on November 29th that after initially declining the short notice fight, as Green and Jalin are from the same area, a second phone call from UFC brass left him feeling like he had to accept. Or as he put it:
“Feeling like I didn’t have a choice not to take it.”
Still only 28 years old, Jalin is a real dark horse in the UFC’s lightweight division and could easily be a huge name in the sport in coming years.
This is an extremely short notice bout for Turner alongside a challenging weight cut. As Jalin is rumored to walk around at approximately 185lbs. A huge gamble with all the variables considered but a very large potential payout. Turner will be a fighter to keep an especially close eye on during weigh ins and to see how he rehydrates come fight night.
