UFC 317 Fighter’s Coach Details Grueling Weight Cut During Hellacious Fight Week

In an exclusive interview, coach Javier Torres revealed the intense efforts made to make weight for UFC 317. His fighter, Christopher Ewert, was scheduled to face Jackson McVey but was pulled from the card due to weight issues and released from his contract.

Torres explained that they started cutting weight on Thursday evening, beginning at 6-7 p.m., after checking in at 216 pounds in Vegas. Despite their efforts to reach the catchweight of 195 pounds, Ewert struggled with cramps and only managed to weigh around 197 pounds after a prolonged cut, which included running, pad work, sauna, and mummy wraps.

Torres emphasized how hard they tried, mentioning that Ewert lost 22 pounds from Wednesday to Friday morning, doing multiple rounds of weight reduction procedures. The team’s dedication underscores the difficulties fighters face in short-notice bouts and the relentless effort to compete at the highest level.