Why do so many fighters miss weight now compared to before?

[BEATDOWNS]

how about you just gtfo lol. AI is the best i can do, darling. my hand is already swelling up from all this weight i'm not cutting.
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I'll accept that.

 

[Tweak896]

LWs went from 5'6 to 6'. Every weight class has way bigger fighters now. Still would like to see statistics on this.

Fighters weren't as professional back then but weren't cutting as much weight. So I feel like there's been misses about the same amount.

 

[nonoob]

They think cutting large amounts of weight will make up for their lack of skill.

Some of them can't hang. This video cat was definitely hanging.

https://ip59439177.ahcdn.com/key=r713hWdGaLbH4IA1CBfkaQ,s=,end=1766977882/state=aVHjL4Rq/buffer=1523455:68881,27.4/speed=217637/reftag=0346088268/ssd6/1692/2/462691172/a/2025/12/aecda46809.mp4

 

[RichardHarrow]

It’s always when the McRib is back.

 

[SamuraiBro]

Eating disorders, cutting too much weight, hormones are cooked, ‘Less’ PEDS, lack of knowledge about weight cutting/nutrition and some of these fighters are really fucking stupid.

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

LWs went from 5'6 to 6'. Every weight class has way bigger fighters now. Still would like to see statistics on this.

Fighters weren't as professional back then but weren't cutting as much weight. So I feel like there's been misses about the same amount.

according to google AI, it agrees with me that pre-buyout had less weight misses. but the AI attributes it to the early weigh-ins that came at the same time as the buyout.

 

[godhatesacoward]

LWs went from 5'6 to 6'. Every weight class has way bigger fighters now. Still would like to see statistics on this.

Fighters weren't as professional back then but weren't cutting as much weight. So I feel like there's been misses about the same amount.

and the current lw champ and top contender are both 5'7... #makesyouthink

 

[MrCoffee]

How are there less or more?? Did you even take into account if Kevin Gastelum was more or less active during these times in your study of scientific science?

 

[Big Tuppy Hole]

More fights? Equal more fighters missing qeight

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

How are there less or more?? Did you even take into account if Kevin Gastelum was more or less active during these times in your study of scientific science?

i already posted all the science there is to science bud

 

[Meathead Jock]

There are more fights and fight cards now so are their more miss a or does it just seem like it?

DC one time commented though that in the old days people would go to bed on weight or close to on weight. But a lot of fighters now will go to bed ten over and d an extreme weight cut the day or because they don't like fitting the weight the night before because it prevents them from a good sleep. Obviously waiting until the last minute is going the open the door to more misses.

 

[RockyLockridge]

They cut more weight

Same reason why there are so many more injuries and less frequent fights in general: they're not allowed to take anything to help.

Legit, it's these two things. Average size and in cage weight of all weight classes has seemingly increased in the last decade. pre usada weight misses were very uncommon. Now they average 1 per event

 

[jeff7b9]

Lots of Good answers so far and I think it all adds up and factors in.


Pulling this out of my ass here but , I'm gonna go family feud style...

Show me:

Fights are booked with less notice for fighters.



Thus fucking with their ability to properly set up and plan a weight cut.

Factor this along with the previously mentioned larger weight cuts


Maybe this is just me but it seems like lately fights are getting booked WAY more last minute. We see incomplete fight cards a few weeks away and they fill them in with less experienced DWTNCS shmucks instead of established pros .... and you get relative UFC noobs cutting tons of weight on 2 weeks notice instead of Veteran fighters with 8- 14 week fight camps where they can lower their weight during camp and cut the last bit of water systematically.

Some guy who gets the call to the big leagues is gonna cut whatever they ask him to cut but that may be 30+ pounds on 2 weeks notice
(instead of same cut on 3 months notice with plenty of time to diet, being done by a more experienced fighter)


Doesn't seem to me like big names missing weight.

I would guess this is - at least in part- a side effect of the watering down of the roster.

 

[HHJ]

Maybe this is just me but it seems like lately fights are getting booked WAY more last minute.

Alot more cards than there ever were.

PRIDE did this alot but of course their "weigh ins" werent public

 

[Clark Rogers]

3 things, IMO.

More weight being cut.

More events, more fights, etc. Baseline increase in chances for missed weight.

No more IVs mean a lot prob have to be a little more cautious.

 

[Tweak896]

according to google AI, it agrees with me that pre-buyout had less weight misses. but the AI attributes it to the early weigh-ins that came at the same time as the buyout.

Oh yeah, that's other factors. They seem to consistently have a longer weigh in. So it muddys the water more.

and the current lw champ and top contender are both 5'7... #makesyouthink

correct, it's not a 100% absolute, but also just an overall trend, look at top 10 height now vs the BJ Penn days.

 

[Russie]

DC one time commented though that in the old days people would go to bed on weight or close to on weight. But a lot of fighters now will go to bed ten over and d an extreme weight cut the day or because they don't like fitting the weight the night before because it prevents them from a good sleep. Obviously waiting until the last minute is going the open the door to more misses.

This along with the big cuts some of them are doing is a bad combination. Most pull it off but it's a dangerous thing that can backfire.

 

[wh4tttt]

No more IVs mean a lot prob have to be a little more cautious.

I follow track and field and cycling. There had been rumblings of going old school with needle and rabbit intestine to rehydrate or to mask things.

I believe the trace plastics was what usada was looking for. Not sure who is doing the testing now or its just up to the local athletics commission..

 

[Ladder Master]

How else is Jalin Turner supposed to win fights?
He would get demolished if he fought people his size.

 

[Clark Rogers]

I think the real question is rate of missed weight compared to total fights.

TS has shown increases in missed weight for certain periods, but that doesn't take into account increased events and numbers of fights.

A stat comparing missed weight % per total fights would answer whether it's really more prevalent, or just seems that way.