Usually before a big Jiu-Jitsu competition or Muay Thai fight, athletes will cut weight, a quick and effective way to fight in a lower weight class. As someone who’s never cut weight before, I have learned through breaking these rules below that it is, in fact, a BIG DEAL both mentally and physically, to cut weight. Watching athletes cut anywhere from 5lbs to 30lbs, they all have one goal in mind: getting the pounds off by any means necessary. What does this mean for the rest of us?
Stay out of the way.
Cutting weight does not give fighters an excuse to be a “jerk”, but on top of ingesting gallons of water, sweating out their souls under layers of clothing, ignoring the voices in their heads, and counting down the days until they get to eat real food again, being a “jerk” is just one of the small possible side effects.
We have our Gizmo’s. These fighters walk around, gaunt and near death, grinning from ear to ear because like the Joker, they have momentarily lost their minds.
And we have our Gremlins. Grumpy and irritated, they pace around preparing for war, and ready to destroy anything, and anyone in their path. They’re usually the ones who have to cut a lot, or have a lot at stake.
The best ways to deal with someone cutting weight:
1. Don’t expose them to sunlight: Never tell them how horrible they look. This isn’t their first weight cut, and it won’t be their last. The last thing they need to hear is your negativity.
2. Don’t get them wet: Don’t water down their hard work. Never wish them “good luck” before any competition. Wish them well, but their fate is not decided by a leprechaun holding a four leaf clover.
3. Never ever feed them after midnight: Don’t offer them candy, donuts, or other goodies. Save that for the recovery period.
By following these 3 simple rules, you can avoid the wrath brought on by temporary insanity.
