Reinier de Ridder Slams Extreme Weight Cutting in The UFC: "Weigh In at 185, Fight at 210"

Extreme weight cutting remains one of the most controversial aspects of mixed martial arts, and Reinier de Ridder has had enough. Ahead of his upcoming bout at UFC Sacramento, the former two-division ONE Championship holder pulled no punches when describing the drastic weight fluctuations fighters put themselves through just to step onto the scales.

Speaking with MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin, "The Dutch Knight" questioned the entire premise of cutting massive amounts of water weight, pointing out the absurdity of two fighters draining their bodies to hit a specific mark, only to rehydrate back up to their natural size come fight night.

"I weigh in at 185, my opponent weighs in at 185, both of us weigh in at 210 when we fight. Like why are we doing this sh*t?" de Ridder bluntly stated.

For the 35-year-old Dutchman, the critique comes after enduring an excruciating schedule. Having cut weight repeatedly over a short span, de Ridder revealed that the constant dehydration cycles drained the enjoyment out of competing, prompting his recent move back to light heavyweight.

The Physical Toll of Dehydration Cycles

De Ridder (21-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) made a huge splash upon arriving in the UFC, securing high-profile finishes over Kevin Holland and Bo Nickal. However, maintaining a 185-pound frame at 6-foot-4 required immense discipline and physical sacrifice. Competing five times in a single year took a severe toll on his body, leading him to question the structural safety of the current weigh-in system.

Unlike ONE Championship, which utilizes hydration testing to ensure athletes compete closer to their walking weight, the UFC relies on traditional day-before weigh-ins. This setup often encourages fighters to cut anywhere from 15 to 30 pounds of water weight, creating massive size disparities and heightened health risks if a fighter fails to rehydrate properly.

By making the move up to 205 pounds, de Ridder hopes to prolong his career while performing at his absolute physical peak. His frustration echoes a growing sentiment among veterans who believe strict hydration protocols or additional weight classes are needed to protect athletes from dangerous dehydration practices.

While the culture around weight cutting will not change overnight, outspoken stars like de Ridder continue to force the conversation into the spotlight.