Joe Rogan - What It's Like For a UFC Fighter To Cut Weight

Kevin Lee on his weight cutting process.

[@Kaydeezable]

Lee is a cool dude when hes not tryin to be

[@AC-ft7ot]

Kaydeezable he’s just promoting. Lee, Covington, Sonnen, and Bisping are actually really good guys.

[@mightymouse652]

GerKelly Promotion is necessary though

[@NyQuilable]

If you're not selling fights, you're not getting paid.

[@erikhantariq1913]

Peter Krivacka Covington is a piece of shit

[@thenepalidevils8906]

@@erikhantariq1913 it's all an act dude. Watch his earlier interviews he was a gentleman but nobody wanted to Watch him.

[@bojiden9830]

165 would actually be a stacked division

[@ashen.dynasty669]

bo jiden and competative

[@shaqoneill8069]

Stacked full of fromer midget fighters who should have been fighting at 170 all along but would never admit it 😂

[@andrewortiz6430]

Jorge Masvidal, Kevin Lee, Colby Convigton, RDA, Cowboy, Leon Edwards

[@rock3tofjustus777]

they should make a 195 weight division

[@dravenmuskego6008]

Rock3TofJustUS i know people like anderson and rich franklin needed that division

[@rivertrash9862]

Weight cutting is the biggest problem in the sport right now. it decreases the value of the product because they're so dehydrated and it increases risk of brain trauma. they really need to work on getting rid of it.

[@user-tl2cs6wv8b]

Minnesota Fatz Brain trauma??? That sounds scary man not to mention unhealthy!

[@rivertrash9862]

Benny D huh? kind of a weird thing to be a smartass about, it definitely increases that risk.

[@diychad7268]

ive never understood it at all

[@Ed-tc2pg]

Ufc originally had 2 weight classes people who weighed under 400lbs and everyone else.

[@fireshutupinmybones5636]

Minnesota Fatz I agree with you!

[@perleth8936]

Kevin Lee is a nice guy when hes not being Kevin Lee

[@dark3rthanshadows]

it's called selling fights, ofc he has to play "heel" it's the way guys like us would care about watching this random guy fight

[@manu4eva999]

Or Kevin Lee is a nice guy when he is being Kevin Lee

[@HamuraiC-137]

Every time I go on a 3 day coke bender I cut about 20pounds......Jon knows the secret to an easy weight cut

[@kidagave1]

L G those were the days but you feel like a case of shit for a week after that

[@TheUnknownbruh]

Fuck those coke benders I’ll never do that again

[@mylord4916]

kidagave1 kn

[@mylord4916]

stoney renegade bkonknok nknknkknknknknknkknkknknknkkn

[@mylord4916]

Staywoke k

[@dab88]

the solution is not cutting huge amounts of weight so you're the biggest guy in the fight. You get weighed when the fight is arranged and have to be within 10% of the target weight, then regular weigh-ins before the fight to ensure you remain with a certain range. Guys walking around at close to 200lbs then fighting in a 160lb class is a joke. Fighting is not a test of who can cut the most weight the fastest to get an edge while both fighters put their health at risk. It's pathetic and dangerous.

[@infinitemonkey917]

According to your logic 95% of top level MMA fighters are pathetic because most of them cut a shitload of weight. Many welterweights ( 170 lbs ) walk around over 200 lbs. Kevin Lee said he is normally 185 and fights at 155.

[@Docinaplane]

The ability to cut weight has become as important in professional MMA fighting as technique and application.

[@mixalis6168]

Cutting should be banned !!

[@infinitemonkey917]

I agree the extremes they go through are crazy but obviously it works if most fighters do it. At the elite level they need every little edge they can get. Obviously being as large as you can in a given weight division is a huge advantage at that level. If it was counter productive then the majority would not be doing it. Who looks slow ?

[@rich8381]

dab88 I think the best solution is, instead of weigh ins they should have a limit to how low your hydration level is. That will keep it safe and eliminate guys from lowering to many weight classes. Bernard Hopkins always said he had an advantage because, most guys in his weight class were walking around 20-30 pounds heavier where he was almost the same. So these guys cutting so much would be half exhausted getting into the ring. Not to mention the mental exhaustion which might be worse then physical.

[@AaronCLS]

4% bf is ridiculously shredded, like olympia stage shredded, he was more like 7-9

[@kirkstromgren9186]

The amount of bullshit Kevin lee spouts is hilarious

[@shaqoneill8069]

Hahaha the college dork is full of shit loves the stuff

[@bigzachful]

I would say he was 10 - 12%

[@mixalis6168]

Hes full of shit, no way in hell he was 4% BF..

[@dakotastone6231]

I have 4% bf within each ass cheek. So....I’m not doing well. LOL #assgoals

[@damvid21]

I would be more inclined to go with these 9 weight classes: 130 lbs - Flyweight 140 lbs - Bantamweight 150 lbs - Featherweight 160 lbs - Lightweight 170 lbs - Welterweight 185 lbs - Middleweight 200 lbs - Light Heavyweight 215 lbs - Cruiserweight 230+lbs - Heavyweight All champs would remain the same, with the exception of making Cormier CW champ instead of LHW. The LHW belt would then be open, perhaps fought for by the 2 highest ranked fighters to move to that weight class.

[@elliottdodson50]

Spidey Sense I like that. Could have Weidman fight at 200 cause he’s huge, or Rockhold, or Gustafson cut down.

[@rickysnow400]

stupid

[@damvid21]

RogueSinister I don't agree, but interesting nonetheless.

[@damvid21]

TheeseGeese Yeah, I think it could end up being a pretty stacked division.

[@rades920]

Spidey Sense dumb as shit

[@adb8003]

Kevin is really likable when he’s not being a jerk

[@bitsinmyblood]

When weight cutting is more of science than the actual fighting, you've now got sport of weight cutting not fighting.

[@tonydixon8268]

Kevin sounds really well spoken here, I guess I never noticed in the interviews previously, kinda seemed like he was portraying a character in the pre/post fight interviews that I've seen IMO

[@ivanhernandez8702]

Kevin was not 4% body fat. See how Joe Rogan called him out on it.

[@alexanderhayward8505]

It's not a definitive science actually. They can't measure it with 100% accuracy.

[@zanethekeymasterr]

I doubt he was 4% but it’s impossible to judge solely based off the eye test. Body fat looks different on different people

[@mefilmmaking]

Ivan Hernandez Hernandez, you'll never know. You're not Black. Different muscle dexterity. Sorry

[@rickysnow400]

You think you can lose 20 pounds of fat in a 2 weeks? No its water you dipshit. If you never wrestled shut the fuck up because you have never cut weight and have no idea what you are talking about. And you would get your ass kicked by any wrestler.

[@rickysnow400]

Bodybuilding and fitness are two different things buddy. The reason you can't get to 4% is because you have a big gut and think that lifting weights and taking supplements will shrink you down to 4%. Well I've been at 4.5% so I guess I am a better body builder than you are.

[@ss11111ss]

bro dude is dropping like 20kg its insane

[@luka1637]

It's scary man

[@MoneyIsSilver]

I can think of 4 natural 165 pounders off the top of my head: Nate Diaz, Cowboy, RDA, and Condit, in addition to Kevin. That's a solid division right there.

[@shaqoneill8069]

MoneyIsSilver Nates a 170lbs just learned some hard hard lessons while he was up there he be walking around 195lbs and shit

[@damvid21]

Conor would just go and win that belt too.

[@lj6469]

I think Jorge Masvidal could make that too.

[@secamrtva484]

What? Condits a giant he could be a middleweight

[@lj6469]

Seca Mrtva I'd say the UFC also makes a light middleweight weight class (180). Condit would make that and guys like Gastelum would be there too.

[@MrBoykauvball]

The solution should be to tell these guys to stop cutting weight. Make it illegal. ONEFC tells their fighters to to cut very little weight. They also do hydration tests. Therefore, a fighter will only be allowed to weigh-in if he is hydrated. This will be great if the UFC could do it.

[@lastdefenderofxhotl]

Siddharth Sridharan Yeah and everyone basically moved up a weight class or two but you can't expect one guy to be the only one to do that cause he'll be at a massive disadvantage.

[@johnnyflorence219]

Sounds utopian. It will never happen.

[@theseeker7692]

Or just have them weigh before the fight?

[@shredkaczynski8414]

ONE says a lot of things but we never see any actual PROOF.

[@tjgetem3783]

Thank you for giving us the insider .. I've always wanted to know how and why they did it

[@sundarpichai940]

Joe's correct -- the submerge method is the only nearly accurate method. Calipers and standing on a scale just can't possibly determine body composition.

[@user-ju7tb9tq3m]

This guy is tough. The way he worked through that heel to the head, damn.

[@uc9218]

In summary, he gives a detailed account of how he has a detail plan in place to have a perfect weight cut, then goes on to give a detail explanation on he miss his contract weight multiple times. This guys a genius or a politician in the making.

[@ThisIs_Tactics]

Looks like a black TJ Dillashaw

[@yakintekie4300]

What?????

[@precooked-bacon]

i can't unsee it

[@precooked-bacon]

@@yakintekie4300 his eyes and nose area match up to TJ. get rid of his mustache and shave his head

[@goose_skywalker5044]

I see it. Lol

[@draconianoz6602]

I was saying that

[@returnofthedooks1222]

It's a DXA scan. It's actually a bone density scanner that also tells you your body fat %, lean muscle mass in weight, as well as, where you store body fat at. The only thing with them is that you have to fast for 12 hours before and can't have worked out within 24(?) Hours prior to the scan.

[@nykia31]

They need more weight divisions. Those cuts are just brutal.

[@tfffh7188]

195pounds fights at 155 lol

[@justanaveragebloke4443]

@Mohammed Ali yeah Khabib walks around 210 off season, imagine cutting 50 pounds just for fighting smaller guys, Khabib is a world class fighter don't get me wrong, but he would lose against Usman or Gsp

[@donaldudeentrump1222]

@@justanaveragebloke4443 khabib walks around 180 Ibs. His max walking weight a few years ago was 190 Ibs and he's rarely bigger than his opponents in LW. Where the fuck did you get 210 Ibs from? Usman walks around 200 Ibs and is bigger than everyother WW.

[@fights4real100]

@@justanaveragebloke4443 You've never cut weight apparently. Nobodys cutting down to 155 from 210 or even 200.

[@mattoss193]

@@justanaveragebloke4443 lool he would not loose to neither of those especially usman 😂😂😂

[@Shophiamondar2]

But he’s also 5’9 and if he’s working out he’s normally 175 ish. Which is normal. He fights at like 170 ish cause the max you can gain in one day between the weigh in is like 20 pounds.

[@gabrielgregory9193]

I can listen to him allday

[@terrylunsford4180]

I'm down for a 165 division I guess.

[@Hatingonyall2023]

Lord Sakazuki he’ll yeah!

[@kh-wq4jb]

I like Kevin Lee alot more after seeing him talk and act like a normal person, he's gotta drop the instigator routine. And everyone needs to stop trying to reinvent Connors gimmick.

[@nmartin0600]

You rock Joe!

[@pgreenx]

I want to see him on the announcers desk someday; very good

[@rich8381]

Called a BIA. Body impedance analysis, measures muscle, bone, water, visceral and subcutaneous fat! Phase angle also, which is the cells ability to conduct electricity, or something like that. Studies have proven that all living things that are getting closer to death, have a lower phase angle.

[@BenKellyMusic92]

Kelvin Gastelum vs Kevin Lee for the inaugural 165lb championship. Oh, what could have been! :D

[@cr7neymar908]

Kevin actually seems like a cool guy when he’s being himself. He should be himself more instead of being a wannabe mcgregor

[@Hatingonyall2023]

U guys say that but 9/10 when a fighter is being themselves u call them boring and u don’t buy their Ppvs. UFC fans don’t know what they want

[@elliotifraimov4691]

Dexascans are the best way they calculate density of the different parts of the body so it’s the most accurate and 4% is like you are about to die lean, you need around 5 to even survive for longer than a week

[@TrueFITBootcamps]

Dexa scan. Uses either ultrasound or xray. I cant remember. Gold standard.

[@gb1984yt]

Fighters should be made to fight natural weight,or just get rid of weight classes all around,like it use to be

[@mcmarkmarkson7115]

I love how it is always about losing weight, when there are people having trouble gaining weight too!

[@rhidiandavies1991]

This might be a stupid question - but instead of having these complicated systems where you need to be within 10% of your every-day weight or have hydration tests, why not just have a second weigh-in just before the fight starts? When I've competed in weightlifting or judo, I've been weighed maybe 3-4 hours before competing, so dehydrating and starving myself would be pointless because I'd be so depleted that I'd do shit anyway. Wouldn't that work for mma? Just have them weigh-in when they arrive at the venue.

[@bigmac2556]

Adding a new weight class for more people to cut weight to get into

[@TedSmith1]

Who’s watching after he signed a 170 against RDA

[@maximusharmon6136]

Kevin lee is on my good side of fighters now

[@DjClayface]

The Roe Jogan Experience

[@mediazzent3485]

Wow Lee is a pretty humble guy fr

[@edgardiaz4200]

Kevin Lee vs RDA !!!!

[@Josh-ky8ei]

Opinions on more weight classes?

[@varsame]

It comes down to being not dedicated no reason you’re cutting 40+ pounds in 3 months to fight either walk around 10-15 over 155 or move to welterweight

[@aidenfinney3106]

With BMI u have the pinching method and the submerged method and the Electricity method

[@emperorblkfox5956]

And this is why people like Frankie Edgar has been so durable, he walks around no more than 10lbs of whatever weight class he is in at the time. Say what you want about their record but thats why the diaz brothers hardly get finished they stay in shape and around their weight class and not having to cut 30-40 lbs to make weight.

[@connormccloud4970]

I agree with 10 pound spread.

[@AshuPunjabi]

I wouldn't mind seeing Kevin Lee fighting in 170, maybe fight RDA. Two guys who were once 155 lb fighters fighting at a new weight class battling in out.

[@NDayOnline]

Well, do I have good news for you!! May 18, 2019 - Kevin Lee vs. Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC Rochester. Announced TODAY!!

[@tyleroldham4676]

Oh boy

[@1bandzzz]

Dis is the Joe Rogan show

[@nickardecky7404]

They need to increase the amount of weight ranges. Then for weigh ins you need to make weight multiple times leading up to the fight. The UFC controls all aspects of everything anyways, then know the general walking weights of all these guys on any given day. Test them 1 month out, two weeks out, 1 week out. Then weigh in the day of to get a sanity check, although the body could differ 4-8 pds from food and water they need to be within a percentage. This way the only weight cutting someone can do is 5-10 pds. Not 20-30+ pds. Make the weigh ins so rigorous that it wont benefit a fighter to drop massive weight because the multiple dehydrations will set them back in training and the testing will force them into a comfortable weight. Anyone whos a fighter got ideas what would work to stop this?

[@123456789ronaldo]

There should be only 3 weight divisions , light , middle , and heavy. Have light below 70kg and heavy above 90kg. All fights should be tournament style. Like play offs. And at least once a year. This would give rankings meaning too.

[@RyanS881]

I'd like to see the weight classes changed to something like: 200lbs, 190lbs, 180lbs, 170lbs, 160lbs, 150lbs, 140lbs & 130lbs.

[@floatinggoose9197]

Warunner Gaming So everytgi bff over 200 is heavyweight? I'm fucking 200 lbs before I cut weight to 185 and I'm 6' and I get rolled up by bigger stronger stronger guys that can actually fight at 170, and I only wrestle/BJJ. There needs to be a 200-225 for light heavyweight

[@jesserodriguez4593]

Fuck no

[@brotherg4609]

Only 2 more divisions are needed imo. 200-225 div and 165 div. Same day weigh ins would also stop people from going down in weight too much

[@user-du4tj1hd8m]

Northern Lightzz same day weigh-ins wouldn't work. It doesn't give fighters enough time to rehydrate and gain back energy from the weight cut

[@brotherg4609]

480 That's the point. The fighters wouldn't drain themselves, they would just have to fight at their optimal weight.

[@edinlasers416]

He sees 🕳 holes in the 165 pound division 😂

[@ronin6158]

weigh the fighters a couple hrs max before stepping into the ring, just like all serious weight class sports.. The only fair and sane way.

[@luisruizbeza5350]

they should do the weight ins the day they fight

[@jwallE93]

Might as well make a weight division every 10 pounds like the lighter weights 195,185,175,165,155

[@lukecoffman9051]

No way he was 4% body fat at 177. He was probably 7-8% when he weighed in at 157. But what am I bitching about, he's still ridiculously shredded.

[@rapscallion4728]

The move to a 55, 65, 75 will happen. Will open the way for us to see the first 3 division champ. Would love to see it.

[@raheemhussain3055]

I actually really used to hate Kevin lee but as I’ve seen more of the real Kevin lee I really like him

[@thepleinair]

Still sees the holes in that weigh-in system!

[@cozmicrahop9415]

“Where does Kevin Lee fit into this”.... the most complex philosophical question yet.

[@XxxXxx-fo1zi]

4.5 dude please if u for real nothing but respect

[@sangetube]

The risk of brain damage for a dehydrated fighter is massive. They should fight at the weight they walk around at, weight cutting is bullshit. They should be made to weigh in every day for a week before the fight. If they can't maintain the same weight in a healthy way then they shouldn't fight.

[@travistravis7190]

Most fighters prefer the early morning weigh in. Reason being is that they go to sleep the night before....they wake up and then do the weigh in and its done. They then have the entire day to re hydrate. If fighters don't like the early weigh in then they are fighting in the wrong weight division.

[@chrokeii]

They should really really make a 165 division, and push welterweight up to 175.

[@HusslerkiD]

Ufc needs more weight categories for sure but ain't nobody forcing you to cut weight

[@theindestructible0983]

Reasoning for weight cutting cause the actual proper middle weights and heavy weights are cutting weight so which lead to over smaller guys cutting weights

[@18SchabergRafe]

Why everyone hate on Kevin he seems mad chill

[@TheWorkshop096]

All joking besides. I can't wait until he fights again.

[@MicrophoneHell-ec3bm]

The body doesn't flush out carbs, unless you have an intestinal disorder or kidney issues (diabetic).

[@danealmarshall929]

Wouldn’t it be easier to just be the weight your fighting at? And weigh the fighters again after the fight to make it fair?

[@user-pv1yx5dq6l]

Dexa scan is very accurate, bod pod is good, everything else is worthless for body fat

[@Braselton21]

NFL players vs UFC fighters CB 5-11 190lbs / 5-11 155lbs SS 6-3 230lbs / 6-3 205lbs LB 6-1 240lbs / 6-1 170lbs

[@yeshuasage3724]

Just when you thought fighters couldn't get tougher

[@brandonhughes1537]

If you cut down a drastic amount of weight there should be a maximum that you’re allowed to weigh the night of the fight. Takes away the huge weight advantage.

[@frusciantesplectrum7980]

They should have fortnightly average weight checks and can only drop below 8% of the average out of season weight.

[@dombo916]

It should be 10lbs every division from 155 up, 65, 75, 85, 95, 205, then 205to like 230, then 230 to like 265

[@Acidrainia]

No one's gonna talk about that thumbnail?

[@YusufEffendi17]

Just here after Kevin signed with EeagleFC for 165 division.

[@steve8234]

I'm only 5'7" but I weigh 190 on average (summer 185 winter 195) If I were a fighter, I'd probably be a feather or bantamweight. The last time I weighed 135 lbs was my freshman year in high school. I don't know how these guys do it.

[@williamferguson7202]

This is exactly why fighters should fight at their natural weight. Of course exercise and workout but it’s ignorant to dehydrate yourself for a battle. Remember when Conor fought at 145? Shredded to the tee but you could physically see he wasn’t in good shape health wise. He looked sickening because like Lee said fighters are losing 20 pounds of weight just from water cut. Completely throwing off your natural cycle. I’m 6’2 and 160. And I’d feel the most comfortable fighting at this size.

[@shanahan142008]

william ferguson It sounds like you would look like Conor lol. 6’2” 160 is skinny as hell.

[@secamrtva484]

15 pounds to featherweight is an easy cut

[@dylanwidiner2313]

I'm 62 and I'm 175 and I'm skinny as guck. At that size u should be like 190

[@lj6469]

Four more weight classes Light Welterweight - 165 pounds Light Middleweight - 180 pounds Super Middleweight - 195 pounds Cruiserweight - 215 pounds

[@Themayseffect]

10ibs of water being cut out of your body sounds crazy dangerous, certainly when your already lean.

[@zarAK471]

“Didn’t taper off early enough” lol

[@dakotastone6231]

Tim Wise was he talking about tapering off a turd?

[@jakemissen2935]

They're saying he doesn't doesn't deserve another shot cause he'd come off a loss and missed weight in his next, but Yoel gets a shot

[@JoshSmith-hg7wz]

Been saying this for years. I’ve always thought 10 pounds was a perfect division set up. 15-20 just seems like too big of a jump for elite athletes.

[@tryitout-701]

Josh Smith it has to be base on percentages, not in pounds. 10% more body weight is enough to be dominant

[@RobRIPDG]

I'm 6'4 I walk around Sat 200-210 and I cut down to 185

[@87AYN]

They need 2 more divisions one between 155 and 170 One between 185 and 205

[@Dikoladouglas]

Even tho khabib might be retiring he would love to move up to 165, cause his cut is hard, so would Conor.

[@markhudson5897]

The solution is weigh in day of fight and have a weigh in at announcement and not allow a cut of more than 10% or maybe 8%

[@johnnyflorence219]

They used to do this before. That didn't work either. Mancini vs. Dukoo Kim. Kim died. After this the boxing comission decided to elimate 3 rounds and make weigh-in the day before instead of the the day of to give a chance to rehydrate. All that happened was fighters now lose more weight and are equally dehydrated fight night.

[@Dr.CatchMeIfYouCan]

🔥

[@j-rball1293]

They should weigh you right before the fights or something to stop weight cutting

[@luciarutz6985]

You shouldn’t be focused on your weight. You should be focused on technique, speed, agility, coordination, stamina, and strength. Cutting weight is called cutting corners to make it easier for someone instead of true training to be the best to your potential. Cut like 10 pounds at the most and no more. There’s no need to make wrestling or ufc so much harder than it needs to be.

[@spontaneousthoughtbubble3586]

The UFC and Dana would probably prefer fighters to cut weight because they will look more lean, aesthetic and "athletically credible looking" which would attract a generic fan. Plus the weight cut probably makes them more aggressive, primal and susceptible to getting ko'd which is what the UFC would want.

[@precooked-bacon]

Weight cuts are dangerous, you want fighters to be healthy. Honestly, in terms of athleticism look, i can't think of any fighters that have been #1 with that from jon jones, anderson silva, ronda rousey , etc. none are carrying 6 packs

[@Bleek17Six]

4% BF I doubt it... Maybe 7-9%

[@jacryder735]

Full scanner/Bed thing: I think you’re talking about a DEXA scan. You sit/lie in it and close the door

[@vasumaru242]

When Kevin said he was 4.5% body fat, I could imagine coach greg banging his head against the wall 😂

[@paulschaaf8880]

IMO they should have the weigh in literally right before the fight. Weight cutting should not be a thing for fighting.

[@airenal628]

then you will see way more fights cancelled last minute, even fighters dehydrated rehydrating right before the fights or during/in between rounds, way more dangerous and impractical. There's a reason that doesn't happen atm

[@xX-qw4of]

As a heavyweight, cutting weight sounds like a fucking nightmare. Respect to anyone that can consistently do it... Couldn't be me lol

[@MrDunmaglass]

the sad thing is its gonna take a fighter to die front weight cutting for anything to change