What weight class are Topuria and Volkanovski in? What is the UFC courtesy pound?

Weight cuts in the UFC are often one of the most demanding parts of a fighter’s preparation. In most cases, there is a small margin if the fighter can’t make weight.

Fidel RubioUpdate: Feb 14th, 2024 08:59 EST0

The UFC is one of the companies where fighters cut the most weight before their fights. Some mixed martial artists like Alex Pereira or Kamaru Usman lose between 33 and 44 pounds in a few days and more than half of those in the previous hours before the weigh-ins.

Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria usually have to lose lots of weight too to be able to fight in their division. The Spanish-Georgian fighter admitted that to him weight cuts are the hardest thing to deal with during fight week.

The main event, which will take place on Saturday in Anaheim, California, will take place at featherweight. That means that on Friday morning, Ilia and Alex must be at 145, otherwise the fight could still be celebrated if both men agree but there wouldn’t be any belts on the line. There would also be a salary reduction for the fighter who didn’t make weight.

In my mind there is only one goal, to win. My heart won't let me take my mind off the effort for a single second. And behind me, endless cheers chanting my name from all corners of the planet. TO-PU-RIA. TO-PU-RIA. TO-PU-RIA. #AndNew #15 🌹.En mi mente solo existe un objetivo,… pic.twitter.com/wuTIItOaJa

— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) February 9, 2024

How do UFC fighters cut weight?