Many people think that fighting is all super models and ferraris. Well, they are all wrong. While I meet many beautiful women, I have yet to meet a super model. But I must admit that my Dodge Neon is pretty sweet. Actually fighting is a pretty cool way to make a living, but many people don't know that the the worst part of fighting is the dreaded weight cutting! Weight cutting sucks as the Ultimate Fighter TV show has shown. Every season is highlighted by some drama caused during the weight cutting stage. Well I want to show you what actually goes on.

(Be warned... After looking at these pictures, I realize that it is a little ""fruity" looking at a pastey white boy in his underwear. If you have a weak stomach, then do not continue. You have been warned).

Well the first thing is deciding how much you want to cut. Too much and you could potentially weaken yourself so much that it affects you on fight day; too little and you might be considerably smaller and weaker than your opponent. After a bit of practice, I can safely cut between 15-20 pounds of water in the 24 hours before the weigh in. Since this fight was as big as a UFC fight, I wanted to keep my weight cut smaller than normal. I was weighing around 220 the week of the fight. The night before the weigh-in (Thursday), I like to get a decent workout and sweat a few pounds off...

After the workout I had a protein shake (my final liquid) and weighed in at 218 lbs. I got home and watched some movies, trying to keep my mind off of drinking and eating.

I woke up around eleven and made some breakfast. I had 3 egg whites and a slice of whole wheat bread. I like to eat a bit to give me some energy and nutrients, but avoid water. The guys and I met at the gym at about 4 pm (weigh-ins are at 7). I felt ok, a bit hungry and thirsty, but not too bad. My buddies Kaz, Ryan Williams, Omar, and Paul were cutting too. I weighed in at 213 before the hell started.

Now the fun starts. First I coat myself in Albolene. It is this greasy shit that helps open your pores (it is sold as a makeup remover). It goes everywhere: up my but crack, on my boys, in my arm pits, everywhere...

Omar here is doing it too. He cuts to 125 lbs. He does not cut as much as me, but do to his smaller frame, the same amount of weight would be much tougher. 10 lbs to me is similar to 5 lbs to him...

All done. As we were lubing up, this creepy dude kept walking over and talking to us. If there is one place that I hate to have a conversation with a stranger, it is a locker room. I also hate when dudes walk around with their balls hanging out. Come on! That towel over your shoulder would be much better covering your disgusting old-man balls. Now I throw on the plastics...

This vinyl contraption keeps the heat in and prevents any sort of "breathability". Definately not good for your health. Sometimes it gets so hot in the suit that your organs start to hurt.

So the suit is on and now I cover myself in more clothes. I put on cotton running pants and 2 hoodies. Add the hat and gloves and very little heat can escape. Here are Omar, Paul, and I about to hit the treadmill.

So now we hit the treadmill. I can only do it for 30 minutes. Since my body is already weak and dehydrated, I do not want to risk destroying my body. I alternate slow and fast paces. After a few minutes the sweat starts to pour, and once the flood gates start, it really flows. I can feel puddles filling up in my sleaves; very cool. After a few minutes I really start to feel weak, so I make sure I take it easy (I am not trying to get a great workout, just trying to keep the body warm). The 30 minutes goes by slow, but it helps when you are with a bunch of other guys that are suffering with you.

After I am done I stagger to the next room and stretch for 5 minutes. The sweat keeps coming, but I start to get a bit claustrophobic, so I need to get the damn suit off. After a quick shower to cool off, I weigh in at 208 (5 pounds sweated off on the treadmill). Now I throw the plastics back on and hit the sauna...

While not fun, the sauna is a lot easier than the treadmill. I like to do 10 minute sessions. I was still sweating pretty well today, but it really starts to slow down if you are reaching your limit. After each session I like to hop into the pool to cool down my core body temperature. Here Paul and I are cooling down. Plus I am secretly peeing in Paul's direction. When your body hits cool water, it naturally casuses your kidneys to expell urine. It is extra water weight lost, plus it is funny in my head. Just kidding Paul

After the second session, I weighed in at 206.5. I did one more session to get to 206. Last time I overshot a bit, so I decided to call it a day at about 6:05. I hired Kaz, my man servant, to go buy some fruit, and the team headed off to the weigh-ins...

The time from when you are done cutting until the actual weigh-in is often the worst. You feel horrible, hungry, thirsty, and pissy. Plus you know that the scale is sitting right in front of you, tempting you, while you wait for the official time. I try to avoid the site of food and beverages, because I might snap. Luckily I was the 3rd guy to weigh in. Now the most important rule: if you are weighing in and taking pictures, then wear something better than tighty-whities. Oh well. Now the moment arrives...

206 on the money (205 plus the 1 pound allowance). In 24 hours I have lost almost 2 gallons of water weight (a gallon weighs a bit over 8 pounds). Much success...

Now take a stupid photo to celebrate! Now I can drink. I start with a protein shake (Banana cream MuscleMilk was the winner today). Kaz says that protein helps the body absorb water faster. I start drinking my half pedialyte, half water mixture. Orange pedialyte is the greatest tasting thing in the world at this point. I try to drink 1 quart every hour for the next few hours. The body can only absorb a certain amount of water per hour, so do not chug to much, because you could get sick. Now it is off to the medical tests.

Above I am getting my blood pressure tested. It was slightly high, probably do to the stress my body just went through. Also "Old Man" Reese was right next to me, and he scares me. One punch from Reese's ham-sized fists will really hurt my face. Next is the lung/heart check...

Apparently, my lungs and heart are OK. She did get startled when my deep breath was jerky. I said it was because I was flexing for this picture. What a douche... Now I eat some fruit and finish the paperwork crap.

Now we are off to get some real food. We hit the Outback and got some pasta and chicken. I probably drank 6 huge waters during the meal. I am weighing 211 when I get home. This is Lunchbox and me. He lives an alternative lifestyle...

Well I hope you enjoyed this (except for all the half nude photos). I plan to be around 220 by fight time tomorrow. Hopefully all the shit was worth it. Wish me luck.

RED