Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
In mixed martial arts (MMA), there is a marked difference between moving up a weight class and simply not cutting weight for an upcoming fight. The former conditions the body to compete with extra mass while the latter allows a combatant to sail through weigh ins without the rubber suit.
That became apparent when reigning featherweight champion, Max Holloway, abandoned his post at 145 pounds for an interim lightweight title fight against fellow ex-featherweight, Dustin Poirier, at UFC 236 back in April.
Right out of the gate, “The Diamond” blasted “Blessed” with some hard shots, keeping Holloway on his back foot and punishing the Hawaiian every time he stepped inside the pocket. Five rounds later, Poirier was the proud owner of the substitute strap.
He’ll now have the opportunity to unify those titles against returning lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, in the UFC 242 pay-per-view (PPV) main event, going down this Sat. (Sept. 7, 2019) inside The Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
To see the entire UFC 242 fight card and line up click here.