A brief history of weight cutting failures

UGer Viktor Yakovlev is and avid MMA fan and aspiring writer out of Ontario, Canada. He is concerned about the culture of Extreme Weight Cutting in MMA and instead of just being bummed out, he put together this brief history of Extreme Weight Cutting failures.

Viktor can be reached at vyakovlevmma@gmail.com.

Today, Anthony Johnson is one of the UFC’s top light heavy weight contenders, most recently wrecking Alexander Gustafson, and Jimi Manuwa, only to lose to Daniel ‘DC’ Cormier. Anthony Johnson has looked huge for 205 pounds in his recent bouts. It’s hard to believe that at one point that same fighter was cutting down (with mixed results) to the 170 pound welterweight division.

Fighters cut weight to gain a size advantage over their opponent because size matters in fighting. The bigger you are, the harder you hit, and the more energy your opponent expends trying to control you. We’ve all seen an MMA bout with two fighters who look so completely different that fans are left wondering how the two fighters can even be in the same weight class.

There are a number of different techniques fighters use to cut weight, most of which include dehydration of the body. While every fighter has unique routine that works for them, common ones include increased water intake followed by decreased, epson salt baths, towel wraps, Albolene, and as highlighted in the UFC embedded videos, cardio workouts with the use of sauna suits. Weight cutting is one of the most grueling aspects of MMA.

A proper weight cut requires dedication and more importantly discipline. While there is a culture of extreme weight cutting in MMA , there are numerous health risks associated with it. These risks can range from the less serious such as elevated heart rates, poor performance, and increased blood pressure, all the way to the scary and life-threatening such as DC’s well documented case of Acute Renal Failure during the 2008 Olympics, and the death of Leandro Souza’s back in 2013 (Although there is debate on whether or not the cut was the sole cause of the mortality).

Serious dehydration can have adverse affects including potentially serious neurological repercussions. The fluids that surround the brain that are diminished by dehydration, and can lead to increased vulnerability to concussion, ending the fight, and potentially ending your self as you know it.

While large weight cuts are common in combat sports there are countless examples of cuts failing, leading to a loss of huge opportunities for fighters. Here are the top 5 recent fights canceled due to poor weight cutting regiments:

5. Andrew Todhunter vs Albert Tumenov – UFC 188

Todhunter, an undefeated prospect with a record of 7-0, was scheduled to make his UFC welterweight debut against Albert Tumenov at UFC 188. Todhunter who has all of his 7 wins coming from a finish had MMA fans excited to see the 27-year-old former US sniper make his UFC premier. He took the fight on two-weeks notice after Hector Urbina withdrew from the bout due to injury. Incredibly, Todhunter had competed as a boxer just a month prior to UFC 188 at 200 pounds. During interviews, Todhunter said he wasn’t concerned about the tough cut, citing a prior fight where he cut 38 pounds in just four days only to finish his opponent in the first round. Prior to his debut Todhunter passed out trying to make the 171lb cutoff and UFC officials took note, alerted doctors who then administered an IV and deemed him unfit to compete.

4. TJ Waldburger vs Wendell Oliviera – UFC Fight Night 61

TJ Waldburger had eight fights in the Octagon and illustrated that the risks associated with unsafe weight cutting regiments do not discriminate against veterans, as he was forced out of his fight at UFC 183. Waldburger was scheduled to fight Wendell Oliviera and was pulled out after passing in an elevator and hitting his head against a mirror.

3. Diego Brandao vs Jimy Hettes – UFC 183

At UFC 183, a preliminary fight between Brandao vs Hettes had to be rebooked last second as Hettes fainted backstage just prior to the fight. Dana White explained that even though the doctors cleared Hettes to fight after fainting, the commission took a vote and decided that they were not going to let him compete. It’s good to see the commission putting the fighters health first.

2. Johny Hendricks vs Tyron Woodley – UFC 192

This past weekend, one of the most highly anticipated fights on the card was a #1 title contender bout between former welterweight champ Johny Hendricks and his college wrestling rival Tyron Woodley. A day before the fight, Hendricks’ management informed the media that Johny was bowing out of the fight due to intestinal blockage and a kidney stone, which landed the former champ in the emergency room. Hendricks has struggled in the past with his weight. He cited his poor weight management as the cause of him fading out during the championship rounds of his bout against Robbie Lawler back at UFC 181. Hendricks’ coach told the media that he came into his camp at about 210-215 pounds leaving him to cut an egregious amount of weight.

1. Renan Barao vs TJ Dillashaw 2 – UFC 177

One of the most highly anticipated rematches in UFC bantamweight history was a bout between former champion Renan Barao and newly crowned TJ Dillashaw. MMA fans were excited to see if Dillashaw’s incredible UFC 173 performance was a fluke, and unfortunately the fight was scrapped last second as Barao felt dizzy stepping out of the tub, passed out, and hit his head against a wall, just one day before the rematch.

These examples show that the UFC is committed to the health of their fighters but more importantly they illustrate the risks and dangers of this ever pervasive problem in combat sports.

Fighters will always be looking for ways to gain an advantage over the competition and cutting weight is one of the most common. Some experts believe that same-day weigh ins could counter this issue however fighters will then continue the dehydration up until right before the fight and as previously mentioned removing fluid from the brain makes it far more susceptible to damage.

There is no easy answer here, however it’s clear that there needs to be some sort of change.

If there is something in the sport you are passionate about, and you have a spell checker, please feel free to email Kirik@MMA.tv about getting it into the UG Blog.