Travis Wiuff Discusses Returning to Heavyweight
Posted by Larry Csonka on 03.19.2013
Too much weight cutting…
- Bellator's Travis Wiuff recently spoke about returning to heavyweight and how weight cutting takes its toll on a fighter. Here are the highlights…
On Cutting Weight For The Light Heavyweight Tournament: "All three cuts I did for the tournament were tough, but the last one was really tough. I think I passed out a few times, and they had to bring the scale to me, and I could barely stand on it. It got pretty ugly. So I do feel like I have unfinished business at 205, but I don't think my body can handle the cut anymore. That's the biggest reason why I moved back to heavyweight. I mean, I can move a 205-pound guy wherever I want him to be. With these heavyweights, I have to work a lot harder. I definitely feel like I can compete with all the light heavyweights, but it was too much of a cut for me. I'm getting older and, like I said, that last cut, it was actually kinda scary."
On Winning Titles in Two Weight Classes: "I'd like to eventually get this heavyweight belt and then drop back down to 205 and get the light-heavyweight belt," he said. "I had a good run at 205, and now I think I can make a good run at heavyweight. I'd like to do it. Obviously I'm not looking past anybody. I've got a lot of work to do before I'd think about that, but the main thing for me is getting this heavyweight belt. Then, yeah, I'd definitely consider dropping back down."
On How Weight Cutting Hurt Him: "Cutting 45 pounds takes a toll on your body," he said. "Your body doesn't react the same to the punches, and it slows you down. Mentally, I think it helps you. You feel good because you're always in shape. ... But what physically kills you is the dehydration. Your brain gets so dehydrated that it doesn't take a hard shot, it doesn't take much to turn your lights out. Your legs are always tired because you never come in with fresh legs. Physically, it's tough, but hopefully you can rehydrate and get the right foods in you and the next day you're ready to go. It's kind of a guessing game because you never know how you're going to feel for sure. You rehydrate, you eat the right things, but you never know how you're going to feel the next day. Every time I've weighed in, that night, no matter how hard I try not to, I usually throw up. You're so used to not eating – not eating normally, like, good stuff. You try to rehydrate, but you never know, so it's really tough on you physically."
