How much weight do you guys cut?

[Steven Scott]

Hello 10th Planet! I'm competing in my first tournament and was wondering how much weight I should be cutting. If it's the week before the tournament with day before weight ins and I'm at 173, should I try to cut to 160 or just walk in at 170?

Also, any tips on controlling nerves before hand?

Thanks on advance!

[Keith Kavanagh]

http://youtu.be/7v9aExNl6qQ

I don't cut weight (I'd like my technique to speak for itself against stronger opponents) but I found this breathing exercise great to do the past few days to get in the zone, clear my head and did it before a competition the other day.

[Amber Kamischke]

I think it's not good to cut for your first tournament. You will have so many other things to worry about and making weight does not need to be one. After this tournament you can decide if you may perform better at the smaller weight class. It also depends if you've ever cut before. If you have not, that's another reason to wait in my opinion.

[Apperz]

None. I used to, but now I think what is the point. If you are in the brown / black belt divisions and looking to win a World Title then you likely have no option but to put yourself through it - Mendes Brothers, Marcelo, etc. If you are competing in the white, blue, purple divisions then you may as well look to overcome the weight discrepancies with technique. Your body lets you cut weight so many times (I think), start doing it too early and you will ruin it before you get anywhere.

That said, I walk around at about 74-76kg, the closest division to me is under 73.5kg, so I guess I do actually 'cut' a KG or two, but literally that will be a low fibre intake for a week and a reduced amount of water for about 12 hours before weigh-in.

[Damian J]

My first tournament I cut about 13 lbs and it was very counter productive. I wouldn't cut weight unless it was just a few lbs. I did cut 3 lbs on my last one just because it was either over 200...or 190-200. I didn't wanna have a match against a guy that was 240.

[Matt Skaff]

Yea man, don't cut weight for your first tournament. The first time I competed I tried to do a weight cut the week of the tournament. By about Wednesday, I had decided I was not going to compete because there was no way I was going to make the weight Saturday. I tried to make some bullshit excuse to Brandon about why I all of a sudden couldn't compete at the tournament, luckily he figured it was about the weight cut and he told me to just compete at the weight I walk around at. I competed at my walk around weight that weekend and ended up winning gold in my division. However, I almost did not compete because of the added stress of making weight. I would recommend that you go and have fun, win or lose, you will get better by just going out there and competing. You do not need the extra stress of trying to make weight, trust me. I wouldn't think about weight cutting until you have competed in at least 10 tournaments.

[Luke Noormets]

Yea man, don't cut weight for your first tournament. The first time I competed I tried to do a weight cut the week of the tournament. By about Wednesday, I had decided I was not going to compete because there was no way I was going to make the weight Saturday. I tried to make some bullshit excuse to Brandon about why I all of a sudden couldn't compete at the tournament, luckily he figured it was about the weight cut and he told me to just compete at the weight I walk around at. I competed at my walk around weight that weekend and ended up winning gold in my division. However, I almost did not compete because of the added stress of making weight. I would recommend that you go and have fun, win or lose, you will get better by just going out there and competing. You do not need the extra stress of trying to make weight, trust me. I wouldn't think about weight cutting until you have competed in at least 10 tournaments.

I agree with Matt, just compete at your walk around weight until you are comfortable with competing and know what to expect. Think of it this way, would you rather be spending your time the week leading up to a comp on the scales or the mat?

[MaJu Hansen]

go for 170. if you take a dump big enough those 3 pounds will disappear

[John Mejia]

If you're gonna cut weight do it right. Rehydrate properly. I used to cut 10-15 for Comps but I've given that shit up. Cutting weight is for the birds. The only time I'll cut weight again is for an MMA fight. But even then it won't be much of a cut.

[Kurzy]

I don't like the idea cutting for a fight but I like to lean out to my lean weight, which is 155lbs and keep that weight for the week leading up to the matches.