best weight cutting methods

[DeWitt]

Saturday is my first tournament. I decided Friday I was gonna do it. I'm 190 pounds and would like to drop 10 to 15 pounds. Nothing crazy and I got time. Any suggestions? Also I might add that I hurt my foot pretty good in mma practice so running might be out of the equation. Thanks

[Matt Skaff]

To be honest I would not worry about cutting for your first tournament, especially since you are carrying a foot injury right now. For a proper cut you should have already started. 10 to 15 pounds is a lot to cut for your first time. There are a few methods that you could use to cut the weight, but I would not recommend any of them for your first tournament. Weight cutting is an art in itself, a shitty weight cut can severely affect your performance. Many people have the wrong impression of weight cutting, they do not realize what guys put themselves through to make weight unless they have tried it themselves. Also you might cut the weight and still get bumped up a weight division because they didn't have anyone in your division. That has happened to me twice. I try to have the mindset that ill fight anyone that shows up, whether they are 125 or 325, I'll go to war with them.

[NameLikeNoOther]

This works, I have tried it. I would do a practice run at it before trying it for your first competition though.

http://fourhourworkweek.com/2013/05/...ut-weight-ufc/

[DeWitt]

I agree with you. I'm not trying to kill myself and be weak day of. I see people after weight cuts and I'm not trying to feel like that. I was just thinking their might be something I could try. I'm in pretty good shape so I'm not worried about getting a bigger guy. Just looking for a small advantage

[Kyle Spalla]

I wouldn't cut 10-15 lbs. without an IV bag or you are going feel like shit. I stick between 7-9 lbs. Any where past that with professional guidance I don't recommend.

[Brandon Mccaghren]

Yeah, it's not worth it for a small tourney or at the lower ranks anyway. After the tourney maybe try a practice weight cut and see what it's all about before you do a live run at it.

When you do get ready, go over to the Tim Ferriss website and read the article he has there on weight cutting. It'll lay it all out for you exactly the way you need it.

[SmokeyBJJ]

Cut weight for mma where your body has time to recover. Don't cut weight for bjj when you fight right after you get weighed in. Been there, done that, it's totally not worth it. I'd rather wake up, have a good breakfast, be totally hydrated, and ready for 4-5 fights than to have no food in my system for energy, and be dehydrated increasing your chances of cramping up. Once between my 3rd and 4th fight I didn't even have the strength to lift a water bottle to my face to drink. That 4th fight, which was the semi finals I actually gave up my arm to an Americana while he was in my half guard. I still haven't forgiven myself for quiting, and that was nearly 4years ago. All because I cut weight and didn't have the energy to continue

My $ 0.02

[Nick Paul]

To be honest I would not worry about cutting for your first tournament, especially since you are carrying a foot injury right now. For a proper cut you should have already started. 10 to 15 pounds is a lot to cut for your first time. There are a few methods that you could use to cut the weight, but I would not recommend any of them for your first tournament. Weight cutting is an art in itself, a shitty weight cut can severely affect your performance. Many people have the wrong impression of weight cutting, they do not realize what guys put themselves through to make weight unless they have tried it themselves. Also you might cut the weight and still get bumped up a weight division because they didn't have anyone in your division. That has happened to me twice. I try to have the mindset that ill fight anyone that shows up, whether they are 125 or 325, I'll go to war with them.

+1 on this, you should make a practice cut to see what you're comfortable with. I'm actually about your size wrestled all through high school and when I cut anything north of 5 lbs I definitely feel it affect my performance on the mat. Most of the time it's not worth it. With that said, avoid saunas, cut salt, keep your water intake up until the last 3 days before weigh ins, then taper off on the water intake. DONT stop eating, just smaller portions more frequently.

[Apperz]

You are way too late. If you want to 'cut' weight do it through a proper diet from about 10 weeks before. If you are cutting more than 2.5kg (5 lb) for a same day weigh-in comp then you are going to harm your performance.

If you were a blackbelt going into the ADCC then or - at a push - a purple belt entering into a big, highly competitive competition then it MIGHT make sense (if you've found your technique has been stuffed by bigger guys), but your first comp, when injured, in a local comp? NO!

It is sad that the MMA / Wrestling culture means this question is a regular one.

Go in there and do your best - good luck!

Note: I speak from experience having cut from 70kg to 58kg for MMA/Thai Boxing a number of times and hating life whilst doing it... I fought at 62.5kg, 65kg, 67.5kg, 70kg. I walk around about 72kg these days and compete in Jiu Jitsu at under 73kg and MMA at under 72kg.