5 Fighters Who Don't Cut Weight | Simply Explained
Although weight cutting is a huge issue in MMA, there are fighters who don't cut weight who have still had massive success.
In this page, we will go over the fighters who didn't cut weight, and how they've still managed to keep winning throughout their career.
Table of Contents
1. Frankie Edgar
Frankie Edgar is one of the most gritty MMA fighters that has ever stepped on the planet.
Although he is a natural 135'er, which he would move to later on in his career, he would fight and become the 155 lb champion.
Edgar would not only win the Lightweight championship but defend it three more times afterward.
Despite giving up a massive size advantage, Edgar would go into fights at 5 ft 6 inches, and would not even need to cut weight.
2. Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor is considered one of the greatest Mixed Martial Artists of all time. At one point he would accumulate a streak of 28 consecutive wins while beating four former UFC champions, one former Pride FC champion, and two Olympic medalists.
Despite this, Fedor was seen by many fans as very undersized in the Heavyweight division.
They believed that if he committed to dieting properly, that he would be able to make the 205 lbs limit, and have even more success there fighting others of similar size.
3. Colby Covington
Colby 'Chaos' Covington is an absolute cardio machine that is known for barely cutting any weight in the Welterweight division.
Many believe that his lack of weight cutting allows him to stay in optimal condition to impose his cardio on his opponents.
Due to not being drained from a weight cut, he can tire out any of his opponents while keeping a ridiculously high pace throughout the fight.
Covington would go on to become a UFC Interim champion and fight for the Undisputed title twice in his career.
4. Demetrius Johnson
'Mighty Mouse' is in the conversation for being the greatest Mixed Martial Artist of all time.
Johnson would win the UFC Flyweight title and have so much success beating every one of his opponents, that he would 'clean out' the division.
He would dominantly beat his opponents, to the point that the UFC would make a show to find his next worthy opponent.
Eventually, Johnson would be traded to One Championship, and he would become a champion there at a higher weight class.
5. BJ Penn
During his prime, Penn was known as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Penn would compete in weight classes as light as 145 lbs (Featherweight), and as heavy as Heavyweight/Open Weight and still manage success.
He would go on to win a Grand Prix Championship in K-1, a Lightweight champion in the UFC, and a Welterweight championship in the UFC.
Penn would fluctuate in weight throughout his entire career, accepting virtually any challenge presented to him.
Unfortunately, as he passed his prime, that same mindset would be his downfall as he would go on to lose 7 consecutive fights.
Related Articles
Why Do Fighters Cut Weight in MMA?
What is a Weight Bully in MMA? All You Need to Know
Does Weight Matter in a Fight?
Does Height Matter in a Fight?
How Do UFC Weight Classes Work?
What Happens if You Miss Weight in the UFC?
How Do MMA Fighters Recover After a Fight?