Hey, I'm competing April 20 at NAGA in NJ.
I'll be in the 190-199 weight class no gi intermediate and blue belt divisions.
In November I competed at 240 lbs, didn't go well.
Right now I weigh 197, will not be cutting to 189. If by some divine miracle I wake up and weigh 189 then I will be there, but right now the plan is 190-199, I dont care if I'm 190 the night before, I'm not gonna do any cutting.
Anyways, came here to ask anyone who's competed in this weight class to see how big the division will be. 8, 12, 16+? Thanks.
Good job losing the weight first off..
Second good luck 
The Jersey tournys will have a larger number of competitors than in Hawaii for sure, but division sizes are always pretty damn random. I've seen 32 guys in a middleweight bracket and then 6 in the next weight class up.
The Mad Lurker - The Jersey tournys will have a larger number of competitors than in Hawaii for sure, but division sizes are always pretty damn random. I've seen 32 guys in a middleweight bracket and then 6 in the next weight class up.Hard to judge. Based on just my gym, I probably only have 3 other training partners that fall into that weight class. Could be anything.
Definitely not worth cutting weight for NAGA.
CJJScout - Definitely not worth cutting weight for NAGA.Couldn't agree more. I had to lose weight for better health, but getting to compete with some non monsters is a plus.
usually more people the lower you go from the heavy weights.
I'm competing same as OP but in directors (and I will close out gi and no-gi :)
Don't cut for NAGA. Kip and the guys will put brackets together for weight classes that are close and you'll be able to get some matches. I remember one year in the masters division in Hawaii, one guy did not place top 3, went to the open and won it. So don't write off masters or directors. They some experienced bad ass Mofos.
Ttt
Only had 7 guys in my division. I lost first match to a neck crank.
My opponent was a member of the kyrchen or some eastern euro country Olympic wrestling team. I was too hard headed to sit guard because I have no faith in my guard, so instead I got arm dragged to the ground and scrambled to half guard and was promptly neck cranked.
On a positive, still losing weight so I will be getting closer to a more natural weight class next time.
Kneeblock -Thanks. I had fun regardless of the result, am disappointed I had to ask for a refund for my gi division because naga was 3 hours behind and I had to work that night.
Good work getting out there and competing OP! Keep up the fitness goals.
I am going to keep my fitness goals related to bjj for extra motivation. July 20 is grapplers quest, I'd like to compete at 179 (was 193 yesterday). Then I'd like to give a go at the no gi pans the end of September at 168. Time frame is pretty stretched out where I could lose the weight slow and safe.
Good luck!