Just curious, does anyone here not cut any weight for competition? if you don't, are you relatively light for the division and why don't you cut?
I cut weight one time for a tournament. My division ended up getting blended with three others and I had 13 matches that day. I. Was. TIRED.
To a point it can be done and not be detrimental. Like this weekend there's a tournament here in town. They do everything by ibjjf rules. Weigh ins, brackets, weight divisions, all that. I walk around at 200 lbs. and that's eating whatever I want and a couple beers on the weekend. That puts me right between the 195 and 208 class. So, three weeks outs I went on a strict meal plan and right now I'm 187, so I'll be in the under 195 class.
I don't really consider that cutting weight tho.... I think cutting water and crap like that is horrible for bjj. It just takes too much out of you and kills your performance. 
A mate if mine refuses to cut any weight. He is a medium heavy but is like two kilos away from medium but he will absolutely not go down. Works out well for him. I walk around near light weight but make featherweight. 
A_Butler - I cut weight one time for a tournament. My division ended up getting blended with three others and I had 13 matches that day. I. Was. TIRED.I agree with this. I don't even really cut for my amateur MMA fights. If I'm not getting paid I won't cut. I'm walking like 193 now with an okay diet. I fight 185 MMA and somewhere near there Bjj.
To a point it can be done and not be detrimental. Like this weekend there's a tournament here in town. They do everything by ibjjf rules. Weigh ins, brackets, weight divisions, all that. I walk around at 200 lbs. and that's eating whatever I want and a couple beers on the weekend. That puts me right between the 195 and 208 class. So, three weeks outs I went on a strict meal plan and right now I'm 187, so I'll be in the under 195 class.
I don't really consider that cutting weight tho.... I think cutting water and crap like that is horrible for bjj. It just takes too much out of you and kills your performance.
I never cut weight and I do ok in competition. In IBJJF weight classes I'm right on the border of medium-heavy and heavy but I always will compete at heavy. It's more of a comfort/confidence thing, as I don't have to stress over what I eat and drink leading up to a competition, I can stick to my normal routine and enjoy myself - which I think makes me a better competitor.
I fight at the weight I am. Have never worried about dropping weight for a tournament. I weigh myself before I register and wherever I am is where I will compete. One less thing to worry about
ogjune - Just curious, does anyone here not cut any weight for competition? if you don't, are you relatively light for the division and why don't you cut?
I usually don't cut. I love food, haha.
But also, I would rather focus on getting better at BJJ than cutting weight. IBJJF events don't really let you cut weight anyway, at least as a wrestler or fighter understands it.
I feel relatively light often times, but much faster relatively than I would be in lower divisions.
I don't cut weight for Gi tournaments with IBJJF type weigh ins. If it is a more wrestler friendly grappling tournament with day before weigh ins and I am fairly close to the next lower weight class then I will cut to the next lower weight class. I have found my problem in tournaments is not being real good at BJJ, not being lighter than my competition; so I don't think cutting would really make a difference
Forget cutting weight, it makes no difference. Competing at 199 or 189 is essentially the same thing, if you can't handle a 10 lb difference, you should be worrying more about your technique.
Good to see that I'm not alone. I always cut about 5-6 lbs but this is the first time I'm not cutting and staying as is. Feels good to eat what I want and not worry about what to eat the day of the tournament.
Herbish1 - Forget cutting weight, it makes no difference. Competing at 199 or 189 is essentially the same thing, if you can't handle a 10 lb difference, you should be worrying more about your technique.
I agree that cutting weight should not be the default or go to when issues arise, but at a high level when technique evens out 10 pounds can make all the difference.
It's also easier (and quicker) to drop weight than it is to significantly imrpove technical skills. Maybe more simple to cut weight...it's always hard if the cut is big enough.
I'll lose weight for a comp, but but never a drastic 48 hour type cut. I like to get to at least 3-4 pounds below the weight limit, that way I can relax on the day and eat properly.
James
I used to cut to featherweight for every comp, but when I started entering and winning the open weight I changed my mind. Now I just chill and am much more relaxed and happy fighting at lightweight with no cutting
brendan raedy -I agree size can be all the difference when skill is even. But I disagree that 10 pounds can be the difference. I think it comes into play with matches like Lister/Barnett where Barnett was significantly bigger and able to keep top position.Herbish1 - Forget cutting weight, it makes no difference. Competing at 199 or 189 is essentially the same thing, if you can't handle a 10 lb difference, you should be worrying more about your technique.
I agree that cutting weight should not be the default or go to when issues arise, but at a high level when technique evens out 10 pounds can make all the difference.
It's also easier (and quicker) to drop weight than it is to significantly imrpove technical skills. Maybe more simple to cut weight...it's always hard if the cut is big enough.
10 pounds can make a significant difference, especially at the lighter weights. Bigger difference in strength between 125 lb man and 135 lb man than between two heavyweights with a 10 lb difference.