Jared Cannonier’s UFC journey is a testament to perseverance and evolution. Starting as a heavyweight, he gradually carved his path down to light heavyweight before finding his true calling at middleweight. With explosive power and disciplined striking, Cannonier has battled elite contenders, earning a reputation as one of the division’s most dangerous fighters.
However, more than his fighting skills, it’s the way he has navigated his way through various weight classes that is more inspiring. In the UFC, making weights is one of the biggest challenges for any fighter. But somehow ‘The Killa Gorilla’ finds a way to get it done. So how much weight does he cut before his fights? Let us find out about it below.
What is Jared Cannonier’s walkaround weight?
Weight cutting has become an essential yet brutal part of MMA, with fighters often shedding extreme amounts of water weight in the days leading up to a fight. While the goal is to gain a size and strength advantage in their division, the process takes a serious toll on their bodies. However, Jared Cannonier is a master of doing it. Once a heavyweight, tipping the scales at over 300 pounds, Cannonier has since cut down to middleweight, where he now competes at 185 pounds. But outside of fight camp, his walk-around weight is still significantly higher, showcasing the discipline and dedication required to maintain his elite status.
Reports suggest that Cannonier typically walks around at approximately 215-230 pounds when he’s not in fight camp. This means he undergoes a significant weight cut in the weeks leading up to a bout, shedding around 30-35 pounds to make the middleweight limit.
Unlike many fighters who rely on drastic water cuts in the final days, Cannonier has emphasized a strict diet and calculated weight management to stay within a manageable range. His ability to cut down while maintaining power and endurance is a testament to his professionalism. Having fought in three different weight classes—heavyweight, light heavyweight, and now middleweight—’The Killa Gorilla’ has proven that size doesn’t define skill.
Jared Cannonier has proved to many out there that with sheer hard work and determination, achieving anything is possible. This is not the first time that the UFC middleweight transformed himself to become one of the best fighters. But how exactly did he do this? Let us find out about it below.
Jared Cannonier’s weight loss story
Before becoming a top middleweight contender, Cannonier was working a full-time job as an air traffic control mechanic. His journey from carrying excess weight to becoming one of the most feared 185-pounders in the UFC is nothing short of inspiring. Cannonier made his UFC debut as a heavyweight in 2015, but he quickly realized he was undersized compared to the division’s giants. Understanding that speed and agility were just as important as power, he made the decision to drop to light heavyweight (205 lbs). Through relentless training and a complete overhaul of his diet, he successfully shed weight, but he wasn’t done yet.
Feeling even more potential at a lower weight class, Cannonier took the challenge a step further—moving down to 185 lbs. This required extreme dedication, as he had to shed over 100 pounds from his original heavyweight days. Through strict nutrition, cleaner eating habits, and high-intensity workouts, he reshaped his body while maintaining his explosive power. It’s hard to believe that a 300-pound air traffic control mechanic would one day transform into one of the top contenders in the UFC’s middleweight division.
Yet, against all odds, Jared Cannonier defied expectations, reshaping both his body and career to stand among the best middleweights in the world. He is all set to take on Gregory Rodrigues in the upcoming UFC Fight Night 251 event. Do you think he will come out on top? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post Jared Cannonier Walk-Around Weight: How Many Pounds Does He Cut in the UFC? appeared first on EssentiallySports.
