How tall are most of the guys fighting at 170?

ThaiFighter_83 · 06-11-2009, 04:35 PM

Everyone tells me I should be 155, but most of the guys seem to be 5'9". I'm 5'11" and perform a lot of weight training, which helps my grappling. Right now, eating healthy, balanced meals (50%cho, 20%pro, 30%fat), but eating as much as I want to satisfy me....I weigh 175-180. If I cut my calories to BARELY satisfy me for a few weeks, I can get to 172 in the morning. 169 or 170 should be very doable, though But to get to 155? I think it will be impossible.

Doesn't josh koscheck fight at 170? he's 5'10" and weight-trains, too, right?

DrBdan · 06-11-2009, 04:58 PM

At lightweight Nate Diaz and Cole Miller are both 6'0. At welterweight GSP and Koscheck are both 5'10. Heck, Wanderlei Silva is 5'11 and he fights at light-heavyweight (though he's dropping to middleweight after this weekend). Cain Velasquez is 6'1 and he weighs something like 240.

I guess my point is that you can't look at UFC fighters and their height/weight to see where you should be fighting. Who's "everyone" that is telling you to drop to 155? Friends, training partners, coaches? If it's a coach or training partner ask them why, if it's a friend who doesn't train they're probably talking out of their ass.

Ian Coe · 06-11-2009, 05:00 PM

What style, grappling, MMA or striking?

ThaiFighter_83 · 06-11-2009, 05:13 PM

Okay, not everyone is telling me to be 155. And the only people I'm talking about are training partners/coaches/other pro fighters I've talked to around the gym. I'm planning on fighting in MMA soon, once my coach hooks me up after a couple smaller tournaments he wants me to do. He hasn't given much of an opinion, but all the other guys at my other couple of gyms have said anywhere from 145 to 170. A lot of people say 155, but I wonder.

I never drink, eat unhealthy foods, or slack off on my conditioning. I train hard all year round, keeping up my cardio as much as my body can handle, all year round. My diet is all fruits, vegetables, chicken, brown rice, tuna, pasta, multigrain bread, oatmeal, eggs, almonds, etc, etc. Only healthy stuff and TONS of water. Only thing is, I eat like 4000-5000 calories per day. But that's what satisfies me. I train twice a day on 3 days of the week, and once another 2 or 3 days of the week, for 2-4 hours each session. I burn a LOT of calories! If I'm walking around at 175-185 fully training, I shouldn't cut down to more than 170, should I?

Quest4Glory · 06-11-2009, 05:34 PM

I'm 6'1 and fight 170

Just an example

IMO it doesn't matter that much but I will tell you I was a lean 208 about 2 years ago when I was eating whatever I wanted and doing 5x5 and then I walked around at about 190 for the last 2 years 10-12% bodyfat and I always heard I should be at 170 and I decided fuck it I am going to try it, I fight this saturday and I am currently at 177-8.

Basically my point is you will be surprised at how the weight will come off I haven't been in the 160's since middle school and this saturday I am going to weigh in at 169.9 so if you really want 155 you got it, but it's hard and takes a lot of dedication in the diet area.

Fresh Biscuits · 06-11-2009, 06:02 PM

I think it depends a lot on your BF%. If you're 185 with a few cheeseburger hoops around your waist, it would be easier to cut more weight. More fat = more water?

From the sound of it though you exercise and eat healthy, so there probably isn't much fat there. I think 185 to 155 would be very tough, especially for someone without the experience and help of pro trainers/coaches.

Then again, I am pretty clueless! I'm 5'10" and 185, and I don't think there's any way I could cut to 155.

**mschatz** · 06-11-2009, 06:27 PM

Kind of putting the cart before the horse here. Don't worry too much about what weight class is ideal for you right now. A lot of smaller shows will be fought at an agreed upon weight between you and your opponent that is not exactly within the rigid weight class system.

Get to a weight you feel sharp and in shape at, and fight at that weight when you are ready. If you feel you can fight at a lower weight without sacrificing strength, speed, health, it's something to consider for the next fight.

You will have enough on your mind before the first fight without worrying about making weight 5-8 pounds lower than you normally walk around at, especially in comps with same-day weigh-ins.

paolo27th · 06-11-2009, 07:35 PM

IMHO if you walk around over 170lbs then cutting to 155 can be counterproductive. I`m usually 170 and find the cut to 155 just right. I`ve seen guys do it from like 180. These guys were monsters in the gym but in the fight they were just drained.

If you are 175-180 I`d say gain more weight and fight at 170.

***EDIT***

Also yes, following what maschatz was saying. As long as you fight amateur with same day weigh ins cut as little weight as possible. You won`t recover in a few hours. Gain weight when you become pro.

Steakeater · 06-11-2009, 09:18 PM

im 5'10, walk abround 162, fight at 152 at 7-8% BF

i do find that in pros, mma fighters do have bigger bmi than standup fighters

JasonMun · 06-12-2009, 12:27 AM

I'm 6'3", unhealthy I'm 200 lbs (feel kind of sluggish, slow)
Cleaned up diet/exercise I'm around 180
I can cut to 170

If way ins are day before the fight for me, I'm usually 185+ on fight day