--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I first got into the sport it was…" description: "\"When I first got into the sport it was all about who could cut the most weight, who could be the biggest on fight night. That's the same era when you'r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/michael-chiesa-6449_fight_when-i-first-got-into-the-sport-it-was-a_1564197.jpg" --- # When I first got into the sport it was all about who could… ![“When I first got into the sport it was all about who could cut the most weight, who could be the biggest on fight night. That's the same era when you're sparring 10 five minute rounds, new partner every two and a half minutes, that era of just really hard weight cutting and really hard full…” quote by Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/michael-chiesa-6449_fight_when-i-first-got-into-the-sport-it-was-a_1564197.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/michael-chiesa-6449_fight_when-i-first-got-into-the-sport-it-was-a_1564197.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/michael-chiesa-6449_fight_when-i-first-got-into-the-sport-it-was-a_1564197.jpg) > “When I first got into the sport it was all about who could cut the most weight, who could be the biggest on fight night. That's the same era when you're sparring 10 five minute rounds, new partner every two and a half minutes, that era of just really hard weight cutting and really hard full contact training.” [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The sport once focused on extreme weight cutting and size, highlighting a brutal, high‑intensity training culture. **In simple terms:** MMA used to be about cutting weight and being biggest. Key Takeaway Question the health impacts of extreme weight practices. Themes health training culture extremes MMA Mood critical concerned analytical Type sports ethical When to use this quote - athlete health - training design - competition rules Key Concepts sports science ethics physiology Questions to Reflect On - Should weight cutting be regulated? - What alternatives improve safety? A Different Perspective Extreme practices can endanger athletes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Biggest Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biggest-fight-402014/) [Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/) [Fight Night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight-night/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new/) [Night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night/) [Sparring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sparring/) [Sparring 10](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sparring-10-5874458/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) [Weight Cutting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weight-cutting-895539/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [I'm letting my coaches take the reins more. Letting them make the decisions on what's going to be a hard practice, what's not going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/i-m-letting-my-coaches-take-the-reins-more-letting-them-make-the/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [We're never going to solve weight cutting, we need to just get past that. People are always going to cut weight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/we-re-never-going-to-solve-weight-cutting-we-need-to-just-get-past/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [I fought a long time ago in Canada, I fought a Croatian guy, I don't remember his name, but there I had a size…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gegard-mousasi/i-fought-a-long-time-ago-in-canada-i-fought-a-croatian-guy-i-don-t/) [Gegard Mousasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gegard-mousasi/) > [Advancements in the science around weight cutting have really developed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-hooker/advancements-in-the-science-around-weight-cutting-have-really/) [Dan Hooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-hooker/) > [During weight cutting your mind plays tricks on you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-yates/during-weight-cutting-your-mind-plays-tricks-on-you/) [Dorian Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-yates/) > [Cutting to featherweight took months of intense weight cutting and training. Going to lightweight, I can fight more often.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/cutting-to-featherweight-took-months-of-intense-weight-cutting-and/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [It's taken me 26 professional fights to seek out nutritional help and I finally did and it's made a big change in my weight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-masvidal/it-s-taken-me-26-professional-fights-to-seek-out-nutritional-help-and/) [Jorge Masvidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-masvidal/) > [I always lose weight by cutting all the carbs out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-myers/i-always-lose-weight-by-cutting-all-the-carbs-out/) [Dave Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-myers/) > [Watch as the biggest fight in allreligious texts are \| the three main reasons women, wealth, properties are](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/watch-as-the-biggest-fight-in-allreligious-texts-are-the-three-main/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [If I look forward to bigger fights, than the biggest fight for me is Manny Pacquiao.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/if-i-look-forward-to-bigger-fights-than-the-biggest-fight-for-me-is/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [“My wish for both of you is that the biggest fight you have is over who is the most forgiving.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/my-wish-for-both-of-you-is-that-the-biggest-fight-you-have-is-over/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) > [You get in the biggest fight with the people you care about the most. Because those are the relationships you're willing to fight for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramandeep-singh/you-get-in-the-biggest-fight-with-the-people-you-care-about-the-most/) [Ramandeep Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramandeep-singh/) > [The biggest fight in my life is not in boxing. The biggest fight in my life is how to end poverty in my country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-pacquiao/the-biggest-fight-in-my-life-is-not-in-boxing-the-biggest-fight-in-my/) [Manny Pacquiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manny-pacquiao/) > [I'm the biggest draw. I do the biggest numbers in this division, and it's not even close. There's a reason all these guys want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colby-covington/i-m-the-biggest-draw-i-do-the-biggest-numbers-in-this-division-and-it/) [Colby Covington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colby-covington/) > [I want the biggest fight, no matter where it's at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-masvidal/i-want-the-biggest-fight-no-matter-where-it-s-at/) [Jorge Masvidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-masvidal/) ## More by Michael Chiesa > [I've always just been this hairy, wild man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/i-ve-always-just-been-this-hairy-wild-man/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [Anytime I've won a fight and asked for an opponent, I've usually gotten it, and that's because it's all well thought-out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/anytime-i-ve-won-a-fight-and-asked-for-an-opponent-i-ve-usually/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [I won my fight on 'The Ultimate Fighter,' my dad died the next day and I stayed in the game and won the whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/i-won-my-fight-on-the-ultimate-fighter-my-dad-died-the-next-day-and-i/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [My path leads to a world title.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/my-path-leads-to-a-world-title/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [I will be the UFC lightweight champion. Mark my words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/i-will-be-the-ufc-lightweight-champion-mark-my-words/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [I don't take a guy down just to hold him, I look for damage and submissions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/i-don-t-take-a-guy-down-just-to-hold-him-i-look-for-damage-and/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [I think the Eddie Alvarez fight is a good fight that makes sense - a couple Italian guys throwing down. I've got nothing but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/i-think-the-eddie-alvarez-fight-is-a-good-fight-that-makes-sense-a/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [Mario Yamasaki should just crawl in a hole and never step inside of any type of professional mixed martial arts event. He should never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/mario-yamasaki-should-just-crawl-in-a-hole-and-never-step-inside-of/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [I really feel like going up to 170, I'm going to really be able to show my skill set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/i-really-feel-like-going-up-to-170-i-m-going-to-really-be-able-to/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [I'm in this sport to test myself. I want to see how far I can take this thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/i-m-in-this-sport-to-test-myself-i-want-to-see-how-far-i-can-take/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [I feel blessed that I have a tough opponent in Justin Lawrence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/i-feel-blessed-that-i-have-a-tough-opponent-in-justin-lawrence/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [I've got to become 'The ultimate Ultimate Fighter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/i-ve-got-to-become-the-ultimate-ultimate-fighter/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [If you win one fight in the UFC, you're good. If you win two in a row, you're great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/if-you-win-one-fight-in-the-ufc-you-re-good-if-you-win-two-in-a-row/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [I train great outside of camp but then once camp starts, it's just a constant weight cut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/i-train-great-outside-of-camp-but-then-once-camp-starts-it-s-just-a/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [I finish every fight. And if I don't finish and go to a decision, I win 10-8 rounds. How many guys do you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/i-finish-every-fight-and-if-i-don-t-finish-and-go-to-a-decision-i-win/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) [Explore all 99 Michael Chiesa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) ## More Fight quotes > [“I wanted a fight. I needed a fight. I was sick and tired of playing nice. I AM NOT NICE. - Caleb”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-roberts/i-wanted-a-fight-i-needed-a-fight-i-was-sick-and-tired-of-playing/) [C.J. Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-roberts/) > [I used to fight with hate. There's been a lot of aggression in my past growing up and stuff. That's because I was hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-namajunas/i-used-to-fight-with-hate-there-s-been-a-lot-of-aggression-in-my-past/) [Rose Namajunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-namajunas/) > [You have to fight gravity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-wine/you-have-to-fight-gravity/) [Sherwin Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-wine/) > [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [If U.S. air, naval, missile, and ground forces were not in and around Korea, and if we were not treaty-bound to fight alongside South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/if-u-s-air-naval-missile-and-ground-forces-were-not-in-and-around/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [I am a fighter and I am in that fight and I have to make sure that I share the responsibility with my players…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-ten-hag/i-am-a-fighter-and-i-am-in-that-fight-and-i-have-to-make-sure-that-i/) [Erik ten Hag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-ten-hag/) > [I honestly would like to get that Frankie fight back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-mendes/i-honestly-would-like-to-get-that-frankie-fight-back/) [Chad Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-mendes/) > [I'm looking to fight the best guys in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yair-rodriguez/i-m-looking-to-fight-the-best-guys-in-the-world/) [Yair Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yair-rodriguez/) > [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [I want to fight the fights that fans want to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/i-want-to-fight-the-fights-that-fans-want-to-see/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [We shall fight against them, throw them in prisons and destroy them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/we-shall-fight-against-them-throw-them-in-prisons-and-destroy-them/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [I really believe if GSP and Silva fight, Georges will have his hand raised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hughes/i-really-believe-if-gsp-and-silva-fight-georges-will-have-his-hand/) [Matt Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hughes/) > [We fight to defend our democratic ideals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-austin/we-fight-to-defend-our-democratic-ideals/) [Lloyd Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-austin/) > [Therefore, our fight must primarily be a political mass struggle with revolutionary goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-slovo/therefore-our-fight-must-primarily-be-a-political-mass-struggle-with/) [Joe Slovo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-slovo/) > [I always fight better when my opponent's angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-always-fight-better-when-my-opponent-s-angry/) [David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/) [Browse all 9,748 Fight quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I first got into the sport it was all about who could cut the most weight, who could be the biggest on fight night. 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