cutting weight advice in bjj

[fight4ippon]

Does cutting weight make that much of a difference ( obout 14 lb cut)? Is it worth it? Here is my situation

I am competing june 22nd at nabjj north american open in the blue belt division.

my skills/ experience: I trained bjj for a year and a half roughly and competed once as a white belt at light weight (150-167).

The the dilema: I walk around at about 173 but didn't want to fight guys that weigh up to 180 lbs for my first blue belt match. I'm down to 163 and need to lose 2 more lbs to weigh 165 with the gi on (not a problem). I started eating smaller meals, less meat, less carbs just to see how quickly I can lose weight. It has only been two weeks and I am almost at light weight.

The question: After competing once as a blue belt will I most likely have a good idea of whether or not I can hang with middle weights at blue belt? Cutting weight sucks but I'm already there. I figure next time I'll just be a shorter middle weight, I'm not looking to be world champion blue belt like Luke Rockhold, I just don't want to get smashed.

-do you cut weight?
-How soon do you cut weight before the fight?
-do you feel like you would get smashed if you didn't cut?

OR
-do you not cut weight bc it sucks and you hate doing it/
or fighting at a higher division doesn't make much of a difference?

-any other advice about competing or cutting weight?

 

[Uchi Mata]

I cut weight if I get to weigh in the night before, or a long time before my first match. It makes a huge difference. I start cutting 5 days out, using the lots of water early in the week method. I don't find it terribly hard. But make sure you actually research how to cut weight. Not eating and rolling in a trash bag is not the way to do it.

 

[TsunamiBJJ]

I think cutting weight for BJJ tournaments is a bad idea especially at blue belt.

Your tournament career at this point should be about learning. Maybe cut at brown or black belt, but not at blue.

 

[spectrum]

I competed a lot at white and several times at blue at both local and international tournaments and have been very competitive without cutting weight.

The only reason I would ever cut is to stay out of the ultra heavy (i.e. no weight limit) divisions.

Unless you come from a wrestling background, I wouldn't recommend it. It's an added stress that you don't need.

 

[okyoureright]

It all depends on the person. I lose weight ridiculously fast and I pretty much have it down to a science as to how much I will lose per day if I eat and train a specific way.

Straight up: If you don't know your body and how it reacts to certain foods, diets, and workouts, don't cut for BJJ.

But if you only need to lose 2 lbs, you'd be a fool not to. Your tournament is 5 weeks away, and assuming you will up your training and tighten up your diet your body will naturally drop enough weight.

Say I am 3-5 lbs over weight on Monday and the tournament is on Saturday. Monday-Thursday I will drink water like a camel. I pee constantly. It's ridiculous. I'll make sure I'm doing some low-impact cardio every day in addition to BJJ. Usually a 3 mile jog or some time on the elliptical to keep my body sweating. It's important to stick to workouts that won't make you sore (these work for me). As far as eating, I do a serving of chicken, turkey, fish, or eggs w/ lots of vegetables for meals with 1-2 pieces of fruit throughout the day. Typically I'll be on weight by Thursday and will be able to rest Friday. Friday I will cut the amount of water I drink approximately in half. Idk the science behind this, but your body will drop weight when you give it less water than it's recently had. I also try to get under weight by at least a pound to allow me to drink some water before I compete.

Competition day is usually a light breakfast with carbs. Half a bagel (hell, even a full one!) and some peanut butter does me well. Then small snacks throughout the day, if your weight allows it. Water is the most important, however.

 

[fight4ippon]

It all depends on the person. I lose weight ridiculously fast and I pretty much have it down to a science as to how much I will lose per day if I eat and train a specific way.

Straight up: If you don't know your body and how it reacts to certain foods, diets, and workouts, don't cut for BJJ.

But if you only need to lose 2 lbs, you'd be a fool not to. Your tournament is 5 weeks away, and assuming you will up your training and tighten up your diet your body will naturally drop enough weight.

Say I am 3-5 lbs over weight on Monday and the tournament is on Saturday. Monday-Thursday I will drink water like a camel. I pee constantly. It's ridiculous. I'll make sure I'm doing some low-impact cardio every day in addition to BJJ. Usually a 3 mile jog or some time on the elliptical to keep my body sweating. It's important to stick to workouts that won't make you sore (these work for me). As far as eating, I do a serving of chicken, turkey, fish, or eggs w/ lots of vegetables for meals with 1-2 pieces of fruit throughout the day. Typically I'll be on weight by Thursday and will be able to rest Friday. Friday I will cut the amount of water I drink approximately in half. Idk the science behind this, but your body will drop weight when you give it less water than it's recently had. I also try to get under weight by at least a pound to allow me to drink some water before I compete.

Competition day is usually a light breakfast with carbs. Half a bagel (hell, even a full one!) and some peanut butter does me well. Then small snacks throughout the day, if your weight allows it. Water is the most important, however.

Thank you everyone, especially this post. I 'experimented' by cutting this week I'm basically at weight in less than 5 days and know my body and eating habits needed. I also do the light cardio and that works too. Thanks again!

 

[bradlabo]

I walk around at 155-158 and get down to FW for most tournaments. ABout 3 weeks I diet, eat cleaner foods and usually dont have a prob getting down to 150.

When I do fight at LW I find I am slightly undersized. I am somewhat short so a lot of the guys are taller than me, strength dosent seem to be an issue.

 

[bradlabo]

I don't reccommend cutting any water weight for same day weigh ins

 

[fight4ippon]

I don't reccommend cutting any water weight for same day weigh ins

LOL , that's what I figured, except for maybe 1 or 2 lbs if I was over the day of. I don't want to feel shriveled and weak. I plan on cutting a few lbs lighter so I can snack and sip water b4 the day of the comp, I like to eat b4 trainey muito hardjey!

THANK YOU!, I could fight today at the weight I'm at, I thought it would take longer to do so. Now I have roughly a month of somewhat maintaining b4 the real cut.

 

[bradlabo]

I always lose 1 or 2 extra lbs so I can eat a nice bacon and egg breakfast with two whole wheat toast.

 

[fight4ippon]

I always lose 1 or 2 extra lbs so I can eat a nice bacon and egg breakfast with two whole wheat toast.

Brother?? LOL. I found my long lost brother on the internet how bout that.

Cheers

 

[goldfc]

I thought BJJ was about beating the bigger man...

 

[fight4ippon]

I thought BJJ was about beating the bigger man...

no its about beating you, bc you know nothing about bjj therefore should not be posting in this thread.
anybody who competes in bjj knows that wrestling and sambo takedowns, and judo throws are a part of a bjj competition because the match starts standing, where size makes a HUGE difference, gone are the days where the opponents know little about takedowns and only train submissions(in lower level brackets like blue belt where I am competing). BJJ is now more integrated with people who cross train takedown/grappling sports where size matters more, meanwhile they are submission savy.