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There are many requirements for having a successful mixed martial arts training camp. Having the right coaches, practicing the proper nutrition, and setting the optimal balance between rest and training are all incredibly important. Successfully cutting weight safely and healthily is also an important factor when preparing for mixed martial arts.
Throughout the history of MMA, there have been many fighters who have struggled to make weight successfully simply because they are too big for the division they desire to compete in. This has caused fighters to miss weight and even move up to a new weight class when it has become an issue. Practicing proper weight-cutting techniques and competing at the optimal weight class is vital for success in mixed martial arts
10 Sean Sherk
Despite only standing 5'6' feet tall, Sean Sherk was huge for when he competed in the lightweight division. The former UFC Lightweight Champion competed at both welterweight and lightweight but garnered most of his success at 155.
Sherk would cut 20 pounds to make the lightweight requirement which equaled roughly 12.9% of his body mass. Had Sherk been slightly taller, a move to 170 permanently would have been optimal.
9 Cynthia Calvillo
It is hard to determine if Cynthia Calvillo's weight cut issues are due to her size or discipline. Nevertheless, the #10 ranked women's flyweight has missed weight three times throughout her UFC in career and generally seems depleted at 125.
A move to bantamweight could prove beneficial for the gifted competitor whose weight issues have limited her growth as a viable contender in women's MMA.
8 Johny Hendricks
Johny Hendricks did not look particularly big for a 170-pound fighter. However, the former UFC Welterweight Champion failed to make weight twice at welterweight. Hendricks was notorious for cutting anywhere between 25-30 pounds during a training camp which led to grueling cuts.
Hendricks eventually moved up to 185 and was victorious in his middleweight debut. However, he missed weight in his sophomore middleweight appearance and suffered two consecutive losses. His UFC contract was not renewed.
7 Kevin Lee
Kevin Lee was used to cutting roughly 20 pounds during fight week to make weight. The former top-ranked lightweight was a massive 155-pound fighter but enjoyed many years of success. Eventually, Lee could no longer deny how damaging the brutal weight cuts were on his body and moved up to welterweight.
Unfortunately, Lee suffered two losses at welterweight and was released by the UFC. He now competes at 165 in Eagle FC. Hopefully, Lee has finally found the ideal weight to compete at his very best.
6 Thiago Santos
Looking at Thiago Santos now, is it remarkable that the Brazilian contender once competed at middleweight. Despite compiling a 10-5 career at 185, Santos was a towering middleweight and carried significant muscle on his body.
In 2018, he moved up to light heavyweight and has compiled a 4-3 record including a light heavyweight title shot. Santos is still one of the top light heavyweights in the world and continues to compete.
5 Kelvin Gastelum
Kelvin Gastelum competed at welterweight for several years but missed weight on two occasions. The California native was a big-boned and powerful welterweight and cut anywhere between 30 and 50 pounds to make 170.
Gastelum did not maintain a strict diet outside of having a fight booked which led to very difficult weight cuts. After struggling to continuously make 170, he eventually moved up to 185 where his power and versatility have allowed him to compete with taller and lengthier opponents.
4 Yoel Romero
Yoel Romero's weight issues cost him the interim UFC Middleweight Championship back in 2018. The former top-ranked UFC middleweight missed 185 for two separate title fights and was noticeably built throughout his time in the UFC.
The Cuban native's walk-around weight is said to be between 210 and 220 pounds which would require a 25 to 30-pound weight cut during training camp. Romero never moved up to light heavyweight in the UFC but did so after joining the Bellator roster in 2021.
3 Michael Chiesa
Any fighter that needs to cut 45 to 50 pounds to make weight is putting their health and well-being on the line. Michael Chiesa spent the majority of his career fighting at 155 and walked around 190 pounds.
After going through a scary weight cut and missing weight at UFC 266, The Ultimate Fighter 15 winner finally gave in and moved up to welterweight. Since then, he has compiled a 4-2 record at welterweight and now focuses on a thorough training camp rather than a brutal weight cut.
2 Paulo Costa
When it comes to the most impressive physiques in mixed martial arts, it is hard to not think of Paulo Costa. The top-ranked middleweight is one of the most ripped, massive, and powerful combatants on the UFC roster.
Costa is used to cutting anywhere between 40 and 50 pounds pre-fight making him one of the biggest middleweight current active on the UFC roster. However, his massive weight cuts finally caught up to him in 2021 which forced him to fight at light heavyweight after coming into fight week too heavy. Costa has reportedly been banned from competing at middleweight going forward and will be forced to move up.
1 Anthony Johnson
Fact: Anthony Johnson used to compete at welterweight. How he made 170 is truly a mystery but the former UFC fighter missed weight on two separate occasions. He eventually moved up to middleweight in 2021 but missed 185 by 12 pounds in his division debut.
Johnson would return to the UFC as light heavyweight where he enjoyed the most successful run of his MMA career and challenged for the UFC light heavyweight title twice.