Fighters known for extreme fight camps and weight cuts - fighters with brutal weight cuts

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7 Fighters known for extreme fight camps and weight cuts

@MatchroomBoxing

7 Fighters known for extreme fight camps and weight cuts

Published on September 24, 2025

Weight cuts and tough camps are a big part of combat sports culture. Many fighters in boxing and UFC have pushed their bodies to the limit, and here are seven fighters with brutal weight cuts in their story. Much like the appeal of $5 deposit pokies Australia, the extremes draw attention – but in fighting, the stakes are much higher.

Fighters with brutal weight cuts – Ricky Hatton

Ricky Hatton, who sadly passed away on September 14, 2025, was open about his ballooning weight between fights. He would then strip huge amounts of weight during camp to be ready for fight night.

The “Ricky Fatton” tag stuck, but Hatton’s career and legacy were solidified by his performance inside the ring, and despite his death, Hatton will forever be loved by the boxing public. There really is only one Ricky Hatton.

Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa, the UFC star, is a prime example of not living the life. He later admitted to drinking a bottle of wine the night before the September 27, 2020, clash against Israel Adesanya, saying he used it to sleep.

After that loss, Costa couldn’t make middleweight for a fight against Marvin Vettori the following year, with Vettori agreeing to a light heavyweight clash instead. He blamed a bicep injury for stopping his training and blowing weight by around 20lbs. “The Italian Dream” won the fight by unanimous decision.

Chris Eubank Jr

Chris Eubank’s self-publicized struggles to make weight for his fight against Conor Benn on April 26, 2025, split opinions throughout the boxing world.

For their scheduled fight in 2022, Eubank had to make 157 pounds, which, looking back, was a dangerously low weight for him to hit. With the two set to fight again on November 15, 2025, rehydration clauses and weight cuts will undoubtedly be a hot topic of conversation.

Khabib Nurmagomedov

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov’s cut before UFC 209 showed the dangers of cutting weight. He was dramatically hospitalised the night before the weigh-in, with the planned fight against Tony Ferguson cancelled. “UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov was transported to Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center Thursday evening due to weight management medical issues,” a UFC statement read. “He was treated and has been discharged.”

Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor repeatedly made 145lbs, but even at his peak, concerns were raised by his appearance on the scales. These concerns were voiced the weekend of his fight with Jose Aldo, whom he memorably knocked out.

McGregor later vacated his title at 145lbs and moved up.

Darren Till

Darren Till is currently making a name for himself in MIsfits boxing, but during his UFC days, his welterweight cuts were brutal.

He missed weight by 3.5 lb for the Stephen Thompson fight in Liverpool. The fight went ahead, with Till winning by unanimous decision.

Till later admitted to feeling dizzy and being in and out of the hospital and the sauna in the lead up to the fight.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr’s weight issues have long been documented, failing tests in Nevada, including for the diuretic furosemide, which is associated with rapid weight loss.

The Mexican failed for this substance in 2009 and 2012, highlighting just how much he struggled with his weight and the lengths he was prepared to go to in order to make fight night.

Cutting weight drastically can lead to dehydration, hospital trips, and diminished performance, among many other long-term health risks.

Some fighters admit their difficulties and move up in weight. Others continue to boil themselves down to make weight.

Extreme cutting is still a common practice, with many camps pushing the fighters to the extreme.

Fighters with brutal weight cuts push themselves to the limit to gain that extra edge, but sometimes they push too far and lose out.

Ricky Carroll

Freelance Writer and Digital Marketer, spending most of his time waiting for Andy Cruz to win a world title. Also watches YouTube videos of Lennox Lewis fights on a daily basis.