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UFC fighters have seen their bodies go through drastic changes in terms of their weight and, by extension, their appearance. The usual reason behind the change in appearance is related to the fighters trying to gain or lose weight to be within the limits of a particular weight division they want to fight in.
However, outside of cutting and bulking to make weight, some fighters' appearances have changed drastically after they were restricted from taking certain testosterone-related PEDs.
On that note, here are five UFC fighters whose bodies underwent drastic transformations:
#5 Former UFC prospect Sage Northcutt
Former UFC fighter 'Super' Sage Northcutt has been one of the youngest fighters on the UFC roster when he entered the top MMA promotion at the age of 18. Northcutt, who was seen as a big prospect for the UFC, was later released from the top promotion after his contract was over.
A few years later, Northcutt made his move to ONE Championship where he made his debut against Cosmo Alexandre on May 17th, 2019. Northcutt suffered a devastating first-round knockout defeat to the prolific kickboxer.
He got multiple facial fractures that required immediate hospitalization after the fight. A few months after this fight. in an interview with MMA news, Northcutt announced that he would be moving to lightweight. He said:
“I learned my lesson about fighting a weight class too big, going back down to 155, and it’ll be better for me,”
Northcutt has not fought an MMA match since then. 'Super Sage' was scheduled to fight Shinya Aoki in a welterweight bout on April 28th 2021. However, Northcutt had to be pulled from that bout after testing positive for COVID-19.
We may not know when Northcutt will fight again and what weight will he fight at next. However, after seeing his recent Instagram post, it is apparent that COVID-19 is not holding him back anymore, and by no means is he going to fight at lightweight any time soon.
#4 Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones
Jon 'Bones' Jones is known for being the most dominant UFC light heavyweight champion and current no. 1 pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the UFC rankings.
After defeating Dominick Reyes at UFC 247, 'Bones' vacated the light heavyweight belt on August 17 2020 and made the move to the UFC heavyweight division.
Jones is regarded as one of the best fighters in the sport of MMA. Having defeated all the greats in his division, he decided to move to the heavyweight division to challenge himself further.
'Bones' has been busy gaining good weight to have an edge in the heavyweight division. Jones weighs around 255lbs now.
#3 Former simultaneous UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor
Conor 'Notorious' McGregor has come a long way from his days fighting in the UFC featherweight division.
'Notorious' made his move to the UFC's welterweight division for a fight against Nate Diaz, right after becoming the featherweight champion. McGregor went on to have several bouts at lightweight after that.
Currently, McGregor walks around as a welterweight.
#2 Former top UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem
UFC heavyweight Alistair 'The Demolition Man' Overeem was known for his impressive bodybuilder-like physique.
The former K-1 World Grand Prix, DREAM and Strikeforce Heavyweight champion made his debut in the UFC against one of its most celebrated heavyweights at the time, Brock Lesnar, at UFC 141. Overeem won this fight in the first round, brutalizing Lesnar after a kick to the liver.
Right after the fight, 'The Demolition Man' earned a title shot against then UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos. That fight was scheduled for UFC 146. However, a month before the event, it was revealed by the NSAC that the Dutch fighter had failed his pre-fight drug test. Overeem was caught with a 14-to-1 testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio, which was well over the allowed rate of 6-to-1.
After making his return to the UFC, his physique was never the same. His professional MMA career saw some ups and downs as he defeated top fighters and some former champions. He was seen in only one title fight against Stipe Miocic after that, which he lost. He was recently released from the UFC after his loss to Alexander Volkov. This is what Overeem looks like now.
#1 Former top UFC middleweight and heavyweight contender Vitor Belfort
TRT (Testosterone replacement therapy) was a practice that was allowed by the USADA and Nevada State Athletic Commission until 2014. This practice is recommended for patients with hypogonadism and people with abnormally low natural production of testosterone in their bodies due to any reason.
Several fighters were suspected of abusing the practice, with Vitor 'The Phenom' Belfort being the biggest culprit. 'The Phenom' was often found with higher amounts of testosterone than the permitted limits, even for someone who has received TRT. However, he was allowed to fight due to the exemption provision for TRT users.
The abuse of TRT eventually led to the Association of Ringside Physicians calling for a ban on TRT in early 2014. Following that, the NSAC voted to ban the practice altogether.
Belfort's physique has never been the same since then.
