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Introduction
“Weight cutting” is a common practice in weight-class based sports. And typically, combat sport athletes have reported cutting the largest amounts of weight for competition.
The concept of cutting weight is based on the assumption that a size advantage gives a performance advantage in combat sports. And by getting into a lower weight class than their “normal” weight, athletes can enjoy an advantage (or, more accurately, not be at a disadvantage).
The decrease in weight from an athlete’s habitual weight to their weight-class limit typically has two phases: a chronic weight loss phase (gradual dieting to lose fat mass), and an acute weight loss phase (rapid declines in weight due to losses of water, glycogen and gut residue).
To discuss the science, practical application and dangers of weight cutting strategies, performance dietitian Jordan Sullivan is on the podcast.
Jordan has been the performance dietitian for several years to Israel Adesanya, Alexander Volkanovski, Leon Edwards, Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France, and many other well-known names.
And he is the co-author, along with Danny, of the new textbook ‘Making Weight: The Ultimate Science Based Guide to Cutting Weight for Combat Sports’.
Related resources
- Weight class structure and ‘weigh-ins’
- Stories & anecdotes about elite UFC athletes Jordan has helped to make weight
- Why do athletes “cut weight”?
- The weight making process: chronic vs. acute weight loss phases
- Induced sweating strategies: uses, advice and dangers of sauna and hot bath use
- Mistakes in copying the weight cuts of famous athletes
- Differences in approach for “same-day weigh-in” stuctures (e.g. BJJ)
Guest Information
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Jordan’s academic back- ground includes a Masters of Dietetic Studies (MDietSt) and an undergraduate degree in Exercise & Nutrition Science.
Jordan has been the performance dietitian for several years to Israel Adesanya, Alexander Volkanovski, Leon Edwards, Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France, and many other well-known names.
TFD’s client list includes UFC world champions, Olympians, and many international and national champions, across a range of combat sports.
Danny Lennon has a master’s degree (MSc.) in Nutritional Sciences from University College Cork, and he is the founder of Sigma Nutrition.
Danny is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Sports Nutrition Association, the global regulatory body responsible for the standardisation of best practice in the sports nutrition profession.
Introduction to this Episode
“Weight cutting” is a common practice in weight-class based sports. And typically, combat sport athletes have reported cutting the largest amounts of weight for competition.
The concept of cutting weight is based on the assumption that a size advantage gives a performance advantage in combat sports. And by getting into a lower weight class than their “normal” weight, athletes can enjoy an advantage (or, more accurately, not be at a disadvantage).
The decrease in weight from an athleteʼs habitual weight to their weight-class limit typically has two phases: a chronic weight loss phase (gradual dieting to lose fat mass), and an acute weight loss phase (rapid declines in weight due to losses of water, glycogen and gut residue).
To discuss the science, practical application and dangers of weight cutting strategies, performance dietitian Jordan Sullivan is on the podcast.
Jordan has been the performance dietitian for several years to Israel Adesanya, Alexander
Volkanovski, Leon Edwards, Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France, and many other well-known names.
Connection to Previous Episodes
#374: How to Plan a Fighterʼs Diet
- In this episode ,there is a role reversal, where I (Danny) am interviewed by Jordan
Sullivan.
- We have an in-depth chat about all aspects of nutrition and weight cutting for combat sport athletes, including the concept of the “52 week fight camp” and Danny’s five-phase model of combat sport nutrition.
- This discussion first appeared on the Fight Science Podcast.
- You can go to the episode page here.
