Before the New Year, UFC star Jack Hermansson posted a video that made many people open their eyes.
The Norwegian, who was born in Sweden, shared photos showing how easy it is to handle weight in martial arts.
-There are many ways to manipulate. I recommend everyone to say no to video weighing, and to say that you have to come together for it to be appropriate, says Hermansson to Dagbladet.
Star: Jack Hermansson is one of the best mixed martial arts athletes in the world and competes in the middleweight division. In 2020, he achieved one of the biggest wins of his career against superstar Kelvin Gastelum. Photo: AFP/HO/ZUVA
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I think someone is cheating
For context: An MMA athlete, like Hermansson, or a boxer, for example, should weigh himself before getting into a fight. This is done so that the weight of the athletes is approximately equal and you do not have a weight advantage in the match.
This is divided into what are called “weight classes” and – before entering the match – you must weigh yourself to see if you will stay within the weight class you agreed to compete in.
As a rule, this weighing is performed physically, but not always. Sometimes they are captured digitally, which Hermanson warns against.
He believes there are ways in which weight can be manipulated, giving you an advantage in a fight. He believes this often happens at a lower level in MMA and martial arts in general.
In the video below, Hermansson shows how underweight sockets can be manipulated so that they appear lighter than you are:
-Do you think someone is cheating with this?
– Yes, I am completely convinced of that, Hermansson answers.
-Worse than steroids
So, the MMA star is now urging young athletes not to accept digital weigh-ins, as you can weigh yourself on your own scale instead of the official scale used by organizers at bigger events.
– There's been a lot of interest around it. A lot of people know that too, but there aren't many people who say it's not good. If the “fighters” make some demands, this should not happen.
GETTING WEIGHT: The mixed martial arts star weighed in on the official scales ahead of his much-hyped boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in 2017. Image: James Atua/UPI/Shutterstock
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He believes that the potential difference in weight can be a huge advantage, and poses a direct danger to a potential opponent.
– There are weight classes for a reason. I believe that manipulating weight in this way is a greater violation than a violation of doping. The UFC star points out that it's definitely worse.
– A very important match
Hermansson says he has witnessed these weigh-ins many times as a coach of other athletes, and that he also experienced digital weigh-ins in his first professional match.
It's been the latter for a while now – because Hermansson is now one of the biggest names in the UFC – the largest MMA organization in the world.
The Swedish Norwegian ranks tenth in the middleweight category (84 kg)He will face the great talent Joe Peiffer in his next fight, which will be held on February 10 in Las Vegas. The meeting is the main match in the conference.
– It is a very important match for me to stay at the top. Hermansson says the next fight is always the most important, and it remains quite clear that the goal is to capture the gold belt in the middleweight division.
– It is still my dream and what I strive for.
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