Who benefits the most from weight cuts? Larger or Smaller Divisions?

[Legendary]

Heavyweights enjoy not having to cut weight and when two fighters are throwing around that much weight, a 20+ pound differential isn't that big of a deal most of the time.

However as you go down in weight, the fighters tend to cut more by % on average. There are of course some outliers who go above the averages but they tend to bloat up in between camps.

125:140-150 average walk around weight. 14% cut on average.
135:145-155 average walk around weight. 10% cut on average.
145:155-165 average walk around weight. 8.3% cut on average.
155:165-175 average walk around weight. 9% cut on average.
170:185-195 average walk around weight. 10.5% cut on average.
185:200-215 average walk around weight. 12% cut on average.
205:220-240 average walk around weight. 11% cut on average.

By percentage you would think Flyweights would gain the most from cutting, but DJ is barely 140 and dominates them all, so it kind of throws shade on that theory. Tim Elliot who easily the largest flyweight, lost to DJ and Ben Nguyen, both average or smaller sized flyweights.

Middleweight cuts slight more then average, and I would generally agree that size plays a role outside of Whittaker and maybe Kelvin.

Lightweight statistically is the lowest by percentage , but this division is famous for large guys coming from from 180+ and barely making weight. Guys like Kevin Lee, Khabib, Tibau, James Vick, Diaz, etc.

With all this considered, It is pretty damn hard to say, what do you think?

 

[Legendary]

Thanks @Arkridge

 

[20falarVerdades]

Thread is irrelevant, weight does not matter in true warfare, Conor fought a man 3 times his size and won

 

[Legendary]

Thread is irrelevant, weight does not matter in true warfare, Conor fought a man 3 times his size and won

Tree timez

 

[EGarrett]

What are you asking? Do they benefit how?

 

[turbotime]

Long term definitely bigger. Those lighter fellas age like fine milk.

 

[mb23100]

There is definitely a point of diminishing returns with cutting weight. I think it's more about the individual fighter than the weight class

 

[Duck Dodgers]

Ngannou’s noggin was snapping around like a bobblehead there.

 

[maxi diablo]

That' insane for flyweight. I wouldn't doubt that Wilson Heis is 145-150.

 

[JosephTessaro]

How exactly does a "division" benefit from weight cutting? Isn't it the fighter in a certain weight division that benefits?

 

[Franc Mittelo]

The only time I watched a fight and thought to myself the weight was a factor, was Weidman vs Gastelum. Although weight was a factor, Kelvin Gastelum also showed that he lacked in skills, because he was submitted, and that is a clear sign of deficient skills (in my opinion).

A skilled fighter like Benson Henderson was able to beat Brandon Thatch who was clearly physically bigger and stronger than Bendo, because Bendo was simply more skilled than Brandon Thatch.

If both fighters can make the weight, then I think the advantages of size are often overstated. MMA is a skill and endurance sport. If both fighters can make an agreed upon weight, then the more skilled fighter will probably win.