Paddy Pimblett stunned the MMA world with a 40-pound weight cut for UFC 314, paving the way for a career-defining victory. His journey, documented on YouTube, revealed the brutal effort behind his April 12, 2025, clash with Michael Chandler.
The Liverpool native, boasting a 23-3 MMA record, remains undefeated in the UFC at 7-0. Now ranked No. 8 in the lightweight division, Pimblett’s rise continues after dominating a former Bellator champion.
Starting at 190 pounds seven weeks out, Pimblett faced a daunting task to hit the 156-pound limit.
He said, “People will never understand what it’s like to do a weight cut. Do a weight cut then and we’ll see how much you want to be a fighter.” His words underscored the challenge.
Pimblett began with a strict 2,000-calorie daily diet, guided by Macro Chef’s tailored meals. Early frustration hit when his weight stalled at 187 pounds after a week, prompting a final cheat meal.
Daily workouts included 3.5-mile runs and sparring to shed fat. He called a Las Vegas press conference a “very big disruption,” fearing it would stall his progress, but adapted by seeking sparring partners to mimic Chandler’s style.
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By two and a half weeks out, he weighed 175 pounds, a sign of progress. His team’s focus shifted to fine-tuning meals with precise carbs, proteins, and fats to maintain energy.
Pimblett’s grit shone through despite the physical toll. He stayed committed, hitting 171 pounds 10 days before the weigh-in, showing his resolve.
With 48 hours left, he reached 170 pounds, right on track. His coach noted this cut, one of Pimblett’s easiest, required less strain than past efforts.
Pimblett’s Methods Reveal Weight Cut Challenges
The final stretch relied on water loading and salt reduction to drop water weight. By consuming large water volumes early, then cutting intake, Pimblett’s body shed excess fluid, hitting 157 pounds the night before weigh-ins [1].
Calorie restriction and high-intensity runs burned fat throughout camp. These methods, combined with sparring, sculpted his physique, ensuring he made 156 pounds without a morning bath [2].
Water manipulation, a common MMA tactic, uses dehydration to meet weight limits, with fighters rehydrating post-weigh-in. Pimblett’s team mastered this, as shown in his YouTube video.
Pimblett’s diet relied on Macro Chef’s Joel, who tailored every meal. He praised Joel’s precision, saying it kept him fueled through the brutal cut.
On fight night, Pimblett delivered a third-round TKO at 1:46, landing 62 significant strikes to Chandler’s 29. His performance silenced doubters, earning him a spot in the lightweight title picture.
Post-fight, Pimblett gained 43 pounds, reaching 198 pounds within a week. He admitted to indulging in five milkshakes, a habit that drew scrutiny but reflected his relaxed off-season.
Dana White praised Pimblett’s dominance, calling him a “future star.” Israel Adesanya, impressed backstage, vowed to stop underestimating him after the Chandler win.
Veteran Matt Brown criticized Pimblett’s weight gain, warning of the “savage” lightweight division. Brown urged him to stay disciplined, given his No. 8 ranking and title shot talks.
Social media posts lauded Pimblett’s effort, with one user noting his “years of work” paid off. Others debated his post-fight habits, but his TKO remained undeniable.
Pimblett called out Charles Oliveira for a 2026 title path, eyeing UFC’s Abu Dhabi card. His weight cut, detailed on YouTube.
References
[1] Reale, R., Slater, G., & Burke, L. M. (2017). Acute weight loss strategies for combat sports: An overview of practices and prevalence. Sports Medicine, 47(12), 2413–2425.
[2] Morton, J. P., Robertson, C., Sutton, L., & MacLaren, D. P. (2010). Making the weight: A case study from professional boxing. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 20(1), 80–85.
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