Weight Cuts: The Hidden Struggle of Fighters

Michael Bisping, a former UFC champion, found himself in an awkward spot during the UFC 324 weigh-ins. He was talking about Alex Perez being over the weight limit when something unexpected happened right behind him. Bisping had just said that fighters should not miss weight, as it is part of their job. But then, bantamweight Cameron Smotherman collapsed after making weight, needing urgent medical help. Bisping, who was working as an analyst, had strong words for fighters who struggle with weight cuts. He said that fighters should be able to manage their weight, as it is a crucial part of their profession. But his words were quickly overshadowed by the incident with Smotherman. The UFC had to cancel Smotherman's fight due to his condition.Later, Bisping shared his own experiences with tough weight cuts. He admitted that weight cuts can be extremely challenging, even at the highest levels of the sport. He talked about how fighters often have to cut large amounts of weight, which can be dangerous. Bisping himself had to cut significant weight during his career and knew how hard it could be. He mentioned that some fighters have to cut up to 22 pounds, which is a huge amount. He recalled how he used to cut around 9 pounds, which was already very tough. He warned that cutting too much weight can be very risky and can lead to serious health issues. This is why fighters need to be careful and smart about their weight cuts. The incident with Smotherman highlighted the dangers of extreme weight cuts. It showed that even when fighters make weight, they can still suffer serious health consequences. This is a reminder that weight cuts should be taken seriously and managed properly. Fighters should always prioritize their health and safety over anything else.