Nutritionist Reacts To Brutal MMA Weight Cuts

[@tomnutritionist]

Thanks for having me guys! I hope there was some valuable info in this video, it was great to chat with the team on such an interesting topic. If anyone watching has any questions, fire away and I’ll get back to you 📥👌

[@Space00Cowboy]

Excellent video. You might want to ckeck out how are the regulations for weight cuts in ONE FC. Their protocols are much better than others, I think. Much safer for the fighters

[@grapewalnut7969]

Great analyses! You're very well spoken!

[@tomnutritionist]

@@grapewalnut7969 thanks mate 👍

[@tomnutritionist]

@@Space00Cowboy ONE are definitely doing some notable things with their weight cutting monitoring. I’d be really interested to see some of their data and see how they are standardising testing across fighters. I’ll have to do some more research into it. Thanks for the heads up 👌

[@Switchfork]

I've subbed to you in the hopes of seeing longer videos on the topic of weight cutting in MMA. I'm also interested to know whether having bigger muscles, like a Michael Chandler, is actually beneficial in terms of power, especially in terms of striking power, as opposed to a Charles Oliveira or a Conor. If Chandler trained his straight to be as clean as those two, could he feasibly have more effect in his straight than them? Or are there other factors than muscle size that are more important?

[@thesilentassassin1167]

What a great guy, glad you bought in a Nutritionist who is actually into MMA instead of some random nutritionist, he knew about everything in the video, ans he also talks really well, can definitely bring him back for more

[@marcandrechouinard8636]

never tought someone could see so clearly what a bad weight cut is very interesting

[@TheTrueEmrys]

Wouldnt any Nutritionist say the same things, its not a job you just get lmao, you need a degree you knob 😂

[@TheTrueEmrys]

And 239 people were dumb enough to like this comment 😅😂

[@shanetaylor761]

@@TheTrueEmrys the guy really is a nutritionist(check), he actually does remember the events he's talking about as opposed to someone who's just watching video(check), and he was well spoken(check). Every thing in his comment checks out so I feel like either you have reading issues or...well idk what but I'm fairly confident you're the dumb one.

[@policies8534]

@@TheTrueEmrys would you care to explain why?

[@JAKEBB]

The way I normally tell, if someone has been through a bad weight cut,without even looking at their frame, is looking at their eyes, if it's been OK their eyes are normal or aren't that bad, if it's bad their eyes look completely drained and almost a different colour, now I'm no expert just a fan, awesome work as always.

[@_zands]

Along with the extreme bags under said eyes, big tell!

[@jamesmcaffie]

Or sunk in eyes

[@justalurker3489]

I mean extreme dehydration can make you temporarily blind even, so if they look out of it in their eyes it could be an actual indicator of a hard weight cut

[@chrisholm9789]

protruding cheek bones too

[@georgenyangaya7678]

U can pay for comments now? Capitalism gone crazy

[@MatthewOceanXVX]

I’ve got a degree in nutrition science, and this is great to watch. Really appreciated the nutritionist talking about socioeconomic background, and food insecurity when it comes to resources to have a nutritionally adequate diet to make weight in a safe way. I wish we could somehow get rid of cutting weight by dehydration. So much more emphasis should be put on following a nutritionally adequate diet through fight camp to lose the weight, or you need to move up in weight class. Like, be forced to move up.

[@rosshenderson3855]

Really top video this, makes a huge difference that he is an MMA fan

[@pcpalan]

I like this one. The guy sounds like he knows a lot about his field (nutritionist) AND he knows mma (ufc) fighters and their stories

[@josephkinney1644]

Y'all do a great job getting experts in different areas that are also well informed MMA fans. It's awesome having someone who knows a lot about their field but also the personalities and backgrounds of the fighters they are talking about. Great stuff

[@madaxwayne]

Still dont know how tibau ever made 155 at all walking around at 225 as a lightweight is fckin mental honestly

[@daboy5256]

Easy dude was just off his cycle

[@madaxwayne]

@@daboy5256 still mental lol

[@horusreed6058]

That analysis of Johnny Hendricks was so spot on

[@vittorio177]

Great insight to see and knowledge to have; Thank you Tom!

[@NickPR87]

Adding more divisions would water down the overall strength of the roster and making more titles would damage the importance of each one, much like in boxing. I think ONE has it pat down in their way of making weight classes about keeping the athlete healthy and safe, instead of having them cut a ridiculous amount of weight.

[@robert2690]

That makes no sense. Why do UFC have 170 while the rest are on 25/35/45/55/70/85 Make it make sense. Why don’t they move 170 to 75 and add in 165. 165 can be another most watched division, same for the new 175 and 155. It’s not going to water down the overall strength of the roster. Boxing divisions are just retarded at that point. But adding 1 more division and all of a sudden you’re being overdramatic. Smh

[@ShoahBiz]

they shouldn't add weight classes every few pounds like boxing, but they could surely use something between 170 and 185, and maybe something between 205 and heavyweight. Some guys are barely over being able to reach light heavyweight and they have to compete against the huge guys who have to cut to 265

[@minedgravy380]

@@ShoahBiz 155 to 170 is dumb too

[@chrisklitou7573]

They need to add a 165 division move 170 to 175, add a 195 division and a 225 division

[@babyreps365]

@@ShoahBiz 225 class would be awesome huge but in shape killers

[@notgarybrown]

Really impressed by Tom's compassion for the fighters - Great stuff.

[@andu1854]

I hated weight cutting So much that I instead went heavyweight, weighing a whopping 193 in a 265 lb class )before Ca implemented a 182, 195 and 220 lb weight class), and it was so much better not being hungry and having no energy

[@TheFire1202]

I started training in MMA in NYC, I'm 116 pounds. They wanted me to gain weight to 125 and then cut down back to 115. I'm like why? I'm already 116 to 112, I don't need to gain any weight. I left the gym, I'm not going to mess up my body like that. Fight in your body's natural weight class.

[@charlieward7606]

yeah my coach did the same to me in BJJ, it was so dumb, especially as a beginner its pointless

[@cenarules190]

This video was excellent! Love hearing the medical side of these events(especially those tough weight cuts)

[@soulsiphoner572]

Always amazed that weight cutting hasn't killed someone in the UFC. Only a matter of time.

[@drozzo3211]

Yang Jian Bing died at 21 years old in 2015 from weight cutting for ONE Championship, its only a matter of time before it happens in the UFC aswell, its absolutely disgusting that there arent more precautions and checks for fighter health in MMA

[@soulsiphoner572]

@@drozzo3211 yeah given how many high profile cases of fighters pulling out because of a bad weight cut I have to think youre right

[@robert2690]

The UFC needs to move 170 to 175 and then add in 165 between 155 and 175. It makes so much sense. 165 can be another most watched division, another killer division with 155 and 175.

[@unclefester831]

How Gleison Tibau managed to make 155lbs (70kg) is still beyond me. The man was jacked.

[@vertabun427]

I think the right step would be to weigh fighters on fight day so that everyone knows how heavy they are going into actual competition. It factors into almost every fight analysis but it's a number we can only speculate on. I think there would be an outcry if we could see exactly how much fighters cut or how much a fighter outweighs their opponent and the ufc would have to make rules to ensure the safety of their fighters. For example, your fighting weight can't be more than 15 pounds your cutting weight

[@vertabun427]

@E why not?

[@blaineholt1589]

@@vertabun427 cause then wrestlers would be shit outa luck. They’re only good because of cutting weight

[@davispond9783]

Because people would still cut weight but they would have to go in completely drained and dehydrated putting them at greater risk

[@js-sv6kw]

that would just extend the cut. If fighters were weighed on fight day they would cut weight to make that 15 pound limit.

[@carphucker2973]

It wouldn’t work the way you think it’d work

[@nevamore1984]

A lot what Pillashaw does is not right, sir, you're spot on! 💀

[@incubus3069]

Moving up a weight class has benefitted some fighters in their careers. Nathaniel Wood is a great example of a guy that had hard cuts to Bantamweight and has since picked up 2 wins at FW. And of course Darren Till, albeit he has had only 1 win at Middleweight he still isn't killing himself to make WW anymore.

[@krisjohnston5569]

Rob Whittaker was 2-2 at WW I believe and then went like 8-0 at middleweight and has only lost to the champ since.

[@jonanik3091]

Darren is like 1-3 in middleweight

[@ShoahBiz]

someone already mentioned ol Bobby Knuckles, but Gilbert Burns is another that quickly comes to mind

[@niallfinan]

@@jonanik3091 gave everyone he fought in middleweight a challenge and only fought the best

[@jonanik3091]

@@niallfinan and where is he now? His prime ended to woodley. Never been the same since

[@sorenkazaren4659]

I think having more weight classes and less drastic differences between the weights would help. But I firmly believe that your fighting weight class should be determined by an an average of your weight in the past 12 months. Have the testing for that month’s weight be randomized so they can’t just deplete themselves all month and get a lower weight or craziness. Sure it’d mean athletes need to stay in fighting shape but these people are professional athletes doing this for a career. It would also be closer to what someone’s walking around weight is.

[@drunkenmmamaster419]

That's an interesting way to look at it , I like that idea

[@brandonbragg6670]

do you think it would end up like boxing where 1 person would dominate 3 or 4 wieght classes

[@sorenkazaren4659]

@@brandonbragg6670 maybe. There has to be a better middle ground. But honestly I think athletes should be the best for their size, not the best at depleting themselves and fighting afterwards.

[@Indacut4545]

That’s just another difference between athletes and warriors

[@n1cocraft988]

I just think the weigh in has to happen right before the fight. If its like half an hour before the fight there would be no way we would see these kinds of extreme cuts cause no one would want to fight in that state.

[@Dodo_Jesus]

My Father was a professional heavyweight wrestler here in Germany and he once told me about the story where a guy was half a kilogramm over his limit so they drained him of half a liter of blood which I find to be for one very high commitment and also pretty stupid if youre gonna fight 1-2 hours later.

[@Jainko]

That is insane

[@paulsmyth3580]

That never happened' you heard it when paddy was on tysons hotboxing

[@NoelLahrsen95]

What was the Name of your father?

[@cornelius9836]

Hes full of shit never believe people in the comment sections or you might have to believe me when I say elon musk stabbed my mum

[@2stroketyson79]

@@paulsmyth3580 so many people on KZbin are outright compulsive liars

[@alisigdeniz9286]

This was awesome. Love the respect he gave to Oliviera.

[@whatever_it_takes6691]

TJ's weight cut was CRAZY!!!! He looked like a literal skeleton.

[@Assomy10]

He was only able to do it with steroids

[@policies8534]

@@Assomy10 steroids would it make it harder tbh.

[@Assomy10]

@@policies8534 well that’s not true. PEDs can help you cut weight and that’s why TJ used them

[@kapten-awesome]

The thing i think is so strange is that you have to make weight at say 155 days before the fight. But then after you can basically drink and eat as much as you want when you fight. Shouldn't your weight be then 155 at the fight.

[@spb78art]

That's a great video, hope to have Tom back

[@stoneymahoney8153]

Doc is a Man of knowledge...Doc is a Fan ...

[@jeepamir508]

That analysis by people from different professions is really great

[@Le_Petomane]

He is doing the bare basics, its just opinion. He has no professional insight, scientific or medical explanation because Nutritionist isn't a qualified health professional, anyone can call themselves one. Its just some guys opinion. Rewatch with that in mind, he doesn't say anything educated beyond anyone who follows combat sports and knows weight cutting.

[@lordfizzz]

Tom's a legend, awesome!

[@Lucyopps]

aye bro keep up the videos! I what you got going on the editing of this is good and you give good insight on the health factors that you wouldn’t really hear from other ufc KZbin channels. This is good stuff and it seems like it’s just you doing these and not a team behind u so it’s impressive! Keep doing your thing man!

[@tomhughes4933]

Great vid, you folks get excellent guest experts in for these.

[@Le_Petomane]

He is doing the bare basics, its just opinion. He has no professional insight, scientific or medical explanation because Nutritionist isn't a qualified health professional, anyone can call themselves one. Its just some guys opinion. Rewatch with that in mind, he doesn't say anything educated beyond anyone who follows combat sports and knows weight cutting.

[@ReflectionTool637]

The answer is easy. All fighters in a weight class have to ALWAYS be weighed randomly (under testing - like USADA). So that their walking around weight is just a small percentage above their fighting weight. Now, I know this will not happen - but it is the answer regardless. And it would be fair as all fighters in a weight class will weigh about the same.

[@Jainko]

I'm so happy Darren Till moved up to middleweight. That weight cut to 170 was scary

[@sethwoodward5247]

I wrestled for a long time and the process of cutting weight in my opinion is almost a ritual, it's like a test of your will to win and when you've put yourself though a weight cut losing isn't an option.

[@DocYAYAYA]

its crazy to me that Yoel is 45 years old and still has the passion to want to chase a belt at 185

[@nickmcneil9797]

This man and this video were both amazing

[@VR46314]

I would actually “like” to do a training camp and a weight cut just to appreciate the graft that goes in.

[@w8ngr]

I like this guys knowledge of the game

[@louisheathnicholls]

Good work boyz

[@tab021]

Why not have weigh ins every month or 2? If a fighter varies >20% (or whatever number) they can't fight

[@Night-Jester]

This guy is very knowledgeable and pretty cool!

[@zac3126]

Why is Nolly from Periphery in your video?

[@monty1691]

Yo this was mad funny post something like this on tiktok with a little cleaner edits it’ll go viral 100%

[@arthurmallmann5768]

Man Oliveira was dehydrated to the bones, I mean, you can see his skull through his skin

[@juice7717]

i think if they just increased the minimum weight requirement for all the weight classes like one championship this wouldn’t be as much of an issue

[@TheCityLifeProject-]

Love this content guys!

[@lucasbergstrm]

UFC should just do as ONE does and do hydration checks. People talk like there is no solution to this but ONE has obviously fixed it.

[@robert2690]

But one’s USADA is questionable

[@gh0rochi363]

@@robert2690 it would cause many fighters to go up in weight, but you'd see this being less of an issue and guys who are too small for a division because they don't cut too much wouldn't look as small.

[@mr_manager]

All organizations should do what One Championship does. Move all fighters up a division and make take hydration tests.

[@frankarmilio8902]

Weight cutting should be done with a hydration test, like one fc. It's not perfect but it does ensure fighters aren't dehydrating to make weight.

[@AHSArnulf]

ONE FC has hydration tests before fights since so many fighters would collapse or be on the brink of death on the weighins. Almost everyone is at their natural weight.

[@Kngkongz]

i dont know how the baths work for weight cuts but after DC explained it, it sounded like torture.

[@user-ou4jg5hn9v]

I drank a gallon of water after watching this

[@mitchellcollins7370]

They should do hydration tests fight week to make sure somebody does this….why have two guys both cut 10 lbs of water when they could just weigh in 10 lbs heavier lol

[@nouamanela2096]

great video

[@juansantiago6635]

saw a interview with Gleason Tieboue back in the day....I think he said he got up to 220lbs when not in camp....like holy shit man coming down 65 lbs in like 8-12 weeks which is the usual fight camp

[@johnmcguire5212]

I always wondered why dont go for more body shots especially when everyone weight cuts so much

[@johnlineker2073]

Cuz if you go body shot you leave yourself open for counter as your hands are low .. specially if you spam body shots..

[@johnmcguire5212]

@@johnlineker2073 same with leg kick and other attacks, even a jab leave you open. You gpt to set up strikes, hid it with other you can't just go out there swinging like a cave man

[@tomcooks2562]

@@johnmcguire5212 bruh u don't know what you're talking about

[@amhawk8742]

What do you think of One Championships rehydration test? Do you think a good many fighters can still cheat their way through or will they only get away with a couple pounds so it's actually a good practice.

[@Mutex50]

He actually addresses that on his new video on his channel "Tom Nutritionist." In summary, it sucks.

[@n1cocraft988]

I would say a solution could be to weigh in right before the fight. If the weigh in would take place say an hour before the fight we wouldnt be sseing things like this i think cause there would be no way the fighter would be ready to fight an hour later.

[@i-made-you-mad2667]

some people would still need to cut weight tho

[@timephire]

No Aspen Ladd?!

[@milesmccall2301]

Ringside weigh-ins (or at least same day) would eliminate these dangerous cuts, as well as weight bullies.

[@slothsloth4043]

They definitely don't need more weight classes they have like 12 weight classes they need to make sure they are at an optimal weight before taking on a fight in the first place.

[@NinetysixRs]

Weight cutting is such a bizarre thing but I don’t think there is anyway to stop it completely. People will always try to gain the upper hand by any means necessary.

[@minedgravy380]

pre fight weigh ins stops it

[@policies8534]

@@minedgravy380 true

[@flutemaster6969]

One Fighting Championship - hydration testing = problem solved. You miss your hydration test, you’re pulled from the fight. Happened two weeks ago with Rodtang Jitmuangnon. He missed his hydration test so he was replaced by pnpayak jitmuangnon, who brutally knocked out Savvas Michael on hours notice.

[@wtfdaily1637]

this was a really interesting interview and discussion about the sport, but i do think this weight cutting is only going to get worse. This will be due to fighters wanting to dominate multiple weight classes as they progress through their careers. the whole Connor McGregor one was an ego thing, where he had to prove he can be dominant in 2 weight classes.

[@definitelynotjasonmomoa]

LOL! TOM *COFFIN* REACTING TO MMA WEIGHT CUTS

[@2010-b8w]

Just so you no they do the official weight in behind the scenes on a digital scale only do it on the old school scale for the photos

[@Galaboy97]

Which macbook does this gentleman use

[@Yellow_Flannel]

Year round drug tests… year round weigh ins… just move all the weight classes up 10-15 lbs and make a maximum weight cap for off season… seems so simple to make sure people can’t do this.

[@Yellow_Flannel]

Only allowed to cut a certain percentage of weight before a fight. USADA should be including this for every damn drug test. Test every month.

[@robert2690]

Regardless, there will always be taller people in their division for that height length advantage. That’s the way it is

[@Karabo4344]

Still don't know how these fighters survive these

[@herondope5675]

the conor and urijah clip is so funny to me because you can see the friendship there secretly. if conor was mad he would've shoved him instead of trying to grapple up with him but if it was someone else it couldve been bad for conor with how depleted he was.

[@oisinvg]

Love fight front videos but i think the guest’s background could be different it looks a bit like a newsroom or talk show instead of a react video maybe something similar to what GQ has

[@hermanlilpaste3949]

What’s up with caposas corner ?

[@chrisbaltazar7164]

I think the ufc would have even better fights if they cut weight cuts. One Championship does hydration test and their fights are a lot more action packed then the UFC. The UFC are just better at pulling numbers and having stars The UFC needs hydration tests

[@nicolasbaker9601]

Agree 100%. Too bad the UFC isn't worried about ethics.

[@russell2890]

1:05 the true ceo of epo

[@vedun9439]

Just have another weigh-in at the fight night

[@Didisayhi]

I’m new here!! What did I miss?

[@theonethatquestions8928]

Weight-ins should be just before the fight ao you fight at the weight you weight. That would change everything.

[@i-made-you-mad2667]

some people would still need to cut weight

[@VonRAVEN1991]

I think, the only way to stop these horrific weight cuts to happen is to put some sort of regulation/limit, on organization level, of how much weight can an athlete cut for the given weight class, making the athletes to fight much-much closer to their natural weight class.

[@charliemoss6379]

Weight cutting should be regulated, it not only endangers the fighters but it degrades the performance that us as the spectators expect. It should be a very small percentage of your body weight like 10 lb if you're a 185

[@spencerantoniomarlen-starr3069]

One thing that ever single person who thinks Yoel Romero is on a ton of PEDs fail to consider is that he hasn't moved up in weight since he began his international amateur freestyle wrestling career at age 18!! You'd think if he was on a bunch of steroids and HGH, he'd be at least a light heavyweight by now

[@jonnyholmes5580]

Max Holloway had a pretty bad weight cut, when Bisping was interviewing him.

[@Taabituubi]

Oh yeah that looked horrible. He spoke and acted like he'd had an concussion or he was drunk.

[@travisera1]

Solution hurts the promoter. Second weigh in right before the fight. 5lb max increase. No one would consider fighting while depleted. But that opens up cancelled fights. There is also the appeal of how strong a 155 pound fighter looks when he walks out to the cage weighing 175. The solution is simple, but if the promotion has to choose what’s best for the fighter vs what’s best for the promotion, fighters are going second.

[@2stroketyson79]

Crazy how you show TJ Dillashaw when I literally seen this man take PEDs with my own eyes everyone called me crazy then he gets popped for it! Look who's crazy now!

[@atlraskalg]

You gave it too him?

[@kevinboueri1051]

Imagine how the fights will be better and at a higher level if we got rid of weight cuts, forget PEDS we will see better performances

[@zombiehunter6472]

Why don't they just have 150 to 160lb, 160-170lb, 170-180lb categories?. As opposed to you have to be exactly this weight to the pound?. Then guys could fight at their natural healthiest weight. If a fighter is in their prime fighting condition at 164 pounds, why should they lose 9 pounds or gain 6 to make weight?. Its so dumb and one of the things I hate about UFC.

[@crutiaga2]

This dude looks like a bald Ryan Reynolds

[@migssotto]

Casual fan question here - why doesn't the UFC weigh the fighters right before the fight? That way they're forced to fight at their natural weight?

[@juansantiago6635]

and it was really fucked up what they did to Cyborg....like mad her go down to 140 for absolutely no reason

[@acediadekay3793]

The weight in should be 5 days before the fight

[@jb7630]

If you just fight at your natural weight and dont be a weightbully , you wont have this problems

[@kinotroikgames2818]

There’s no way digital scales are more accurate! That’s like saying a PSI gauge is better off digital which is very wrong. The ufc uses probably one of the more accurate scales

[@jakesurname1086]

I don't get why they just don't weigh them 20s before they walk into the cage.

[@gamebred6995]

This was very scientific and informative . Don't really enjoy these type of videos but this was good

[@Le_Petomane]

He is doing the bare basics, its just opinion. He has no professional insight, scientific or medical explanation because Nutritionist isn't a qualified health professional, anyone can call themselves one. Its just some guys opinion. Rewatch with that in mind, he doesn't say anything educated beyond anyone who follows combat sports and knows weight cutting.

[@gamebred6995]

@@Le_Petomane yea but still it ain't like he's bullshiting. Everything makes sense. I'll rewatch it

[@PitchforkStudios]

If Nolly was a nutritionist.

[@gajorg69]

One Championship has it figured out.

[@i-made-you-mad2667]

do they tho?

[@aladeenescobar1075]

what about making the weight in before entering the octagon?

[@carphucker2973]

Because there’d be no hydration process

[@aladeenescobar1075]

@@carphucker2973 thats my point,they wouldnt cut weighy anymore

[@charlieward7606]

its a easy solution, weigh in 5 minutes before fight. if you cut so much your compromised that's on you

[@SHENGUS.]

The weight cuts are ridiculous to be honest, these guys shrink down for the scales and then hyrdate back up to their natural weight and go into the fight heavier than they what they weighed in at. It makes no sense and is a detriment to fighter performance. The fact that fighters jump between divisions and collect belts is unfair competition, that a naturally bigger fighter can scale down to a smaller fighters division and run a mock of the division. If you're missing weight, you're in the wrong division. One championship has the right idea with hydration tests, fighters competing at their natural walk aorund weight.

[@i-made-you-mad2667]

it makes a lot of sense. if you're bigger you're stronger and more powerfull

[@andyparsley3744]

I think nearly all fighters should be a weight above.