Josh Burkman Says He Lost Almost 20 Pounds in a Day to Make Weight for UFC Fight Night 82

Speaking to reporters in a media scrum (via MMAjunkie) after UFC Fight Night 82, UFC lightweight fighter Josh Burkman discussed his win over KJ Noons. Below are some highlights.

Burkman on how tough his weight cut was: “The weight cut was really tough on me. It didn’t come off like I thought it would early enough. I got to Vegas at 175 pounds, and that didn’t move until the day before I had to weigh in. So I basically had to lose 18 pounds in 24 hours from Thursday night to Friday afternoon. I was cutting weight all the way until I had to weigh-in. I recovered good, but I could feel I was a little heavy from the weight cut. It’s something I’ll be able to critique and something I’ll be able to take the positives from and get better.”

Burkman on getting better at cutting weight: “Once it was over and I started to hydrate and feel better, I knew I was all right. It was an intense weight cut, and it’s something I can get better at. I expect to have better performances as I figure it out. Three weeks ago I was 190 pounds, so that’s a hell of a weight cut. I put on over 25 pounds (after weigh-ins). I went all the way up to 180, so I think taking that kind of weight off and putting it back on, that’s 50 pounds of changes within a 24-hour period. I think I can do a little bit better figuring that out. I think that little bit of extra weight helped against K.J.”

Burkman on earning the win: “It feels really nice. It’s been a long time since I got a win in the UFC. To drop weight class and try to start something new, it’s a big deal. Last year was a tough year, probably the toughest in my career with three losses to three tough opponents. Dropping that weight, coming in and getting a win against someone like K.J. Noons, it’s a big deal.”