Sean Strickland reached the 185-pound limit for the UFC Houston main event after a brutal weight cut. He admitted the process proved “worse than the fight” itself.
The former middleweight champion has not fought for over a year following a broken nose sustained against Dricus Du Plessis in their February title rematch. During his time away, Strickland’s weight climbed past 230 pounds, forcing him into a punishing regimen to return to welterweight.
Despite the challenge, Strickland not only made weight but hit the championship limit exactly, signaling his determination to remain a top contender. His opponent, Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez, weighed in at the extended 186-pound limit to officially confirm the fight.
Strickland and Hernandez Step on the Scales
At UFC Houston’s morning weigh-ins, both main event fighters faced the scales first. Strickland reached 185 pounds precisely. Hernandez used the one-pound allowance and weighed in at 186 pounds.
Strickland previously shared video footage revealing the difficulty of the cut. He admitted he found the process harder than the fight itself. Back in May, a video with reporter Helen Yee showed him weighing over 230 pounds. He has not competed since that fight.
Intense Training and Fan Updates
During his final push, Strickland posted proof of a two-hour, 1,214-calorie workout. His heart rate climbed from a resting 38 bpm to a peak of 141 bpm.
In a message to fans, he said: “This is what we really get paid to do. Cutting weight is worse than the fight, but we are almost there.” His post highlighted both the physical and mental demands of reaching championship weight.
Strickland’s commitment shows he will return to the octagon ready and focused, aiming to prove himself among the division’s elite once again.
