5 scariest weight cuts in UFC history
UFC fighters undergo more than just sparring and training drills to prepare them for their bouts. Everywhere across the globe, professional mixed martial artists must prove that they belong in the divisions that they occupy. To do this, fighters undergo weight cuts to ensure they don't have an unfair size advantage.
Unfortunately, this results in countless fighters cutting more weight than necessary to have as great a size advantage as possible while still conforming to the promotion's rules. Even more unfortunate is that this has led to some terrifying weight cuts, with fighters looking as if they're at death's door.
Sometimes, fighters shake uncontrollably as they take to the scales during weigh-ins, while others even collapse. The list does not include hospitalizations that kept fighters from appearing at weigh-ins. Instead, this list covers five times that the promotion's fighters had scary weight cuts that made it to the weigh-in scale.
#5. Islam Makhachev – UFC 284 weigh-ins
Islam Makhachev's most recent outing inside the octagon was a highly competitive bout against Alexander Volkanovski. Prior to their matchup, much of the conversation surrounding it revolved around the difference in size between the Dagestani phenom and the reigning featherweight kingpin.
The lightweight titleholder is massive for the weight class, with many describing him as a welterweight cutting to 155 lbs. Thus, he has a history of difficult weight cuts, and his most recent weigh-in was no different. He looked sunken and gaunt, with even Michael Bisping expressing concerns about the weight cut.
The most terrifying aspect of the weigh-in was Makhachev staring vacantly into space with tears rolling down his cheeks. Fortunately, the Dagestani grappler made weight for his bout, but it doesn't discount how frightening the entire ordeal was.
#4. Jessica Eye – UFC on ESPN 10
The main event bout for UFC on ESPN 10 involved Jessica Eye and Cynthia Calvillo. Given the latter's previous struggles making weight, fans were nervous about the matchup taking place without incident. Instead of the Californian failing to make weight, it was 'Evil'.
Jessica Eye missed weight ahead of her UFC main event tomorrow night, and even said to media in attendance, “I’m done, I don’t think I can stand.” https://t.co/DzZphRX3m8
The former bantamweight was shaking as she took to the scales. Not only did Eye fail to make weight, she also confessed to everyone in attendance that she was struggling to stand. Despite the alarming nature of her reaction to her weight cut, Eye still managed to compete in her scheduled bout with Calvillo.
Unfortunately, it was the beginning of a two-year losing streak that ended with her retirement.
#3. Mizuto Hirota – UFC Fight Night 117
The UFC has made several attempts at breaking into the Asian MMA market. Despite the promotion's best efforts, ONE Championship remains the most prominent organization on the continent. One of the promotion's attempts came in 2017 with UFC Fight Night 117.
The event took place in Japan, and one of the fighters booked to compete on the card was Mizuto Hirota. Unfortunately, he never made it into the octagon to lock horns with his opponent, Charles Rosa. 'The Pug Prince' underwent a catastrophic weight cut that saw him struggle to step off the scale before receiving help.
After bowing to the Japanese crowd in attendance, Hirota again struggled. This time, however, he barely managed to pull his body back into an upright position. His movements were so slow and labored that he was pulled from the bout by the promotion's medical team after deeming him unfit to compete.
#3. Aspen Ladd – UFC on ESPN 27
At one point in time, Aspen Ladd was the latest undefeated phenom in the UFC's continued quest for another WMMA star. After suffering a 16-second knockout loss against future women's featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie, however, she never fully rebounded and issues with making weight arose.
Aspen Ladd visibly shaking (again) as she weighs in and misses the mark at 137lbs https://t.co/XiWSGnoPDF
In 2021, she was scheduled to face Macy Chiasson. The bout, however, never took place. Ladd was six and a half pounds over the bantamweight limit. She tried to make weight a second time, but was still above the 135 lbs limit.
The most concerning part of her weigh-in failure was her uncontrollable shaking. Ladd looked frail and could barely stand. It was such a scary sight that the bout between her and Chiasson was canceled altogether.
#1. Julija Stoliarenko – UFC on ESPN 21
Julija Stoliarenko has not enjoyed the best MMA career. Thus far, the Lithuanian standout has had 10 wins, seven losses and two draws. Two years ago, however, she sought to carve out a place for herself in the UFC. In her sophomore fight in the promotion, she was scheduled to face Julia Alvila.
UFC fighter Julija Stoliarenko fainted on the scale moments ago during the weigh-ins. She was transported on a stretcher afterwards. No official word yet on her condition.
https://t.co/QnA4ofeq6L
But the ordeal she went through at the weigh-ins for UFC on ESPN 21 led to her bout being scrapped. Stoliarenko collapsed three times after stepping on the scale, with the final time leading to a loss of consciousness. To see a fighter fully faint after trying to make weight was a frightening sight.
Stoliarenko was pulled from the bout due to concerns about her health.