Dvalishvili gains 19lb in five hours before title fight

Merab Dvalishvili says he has gained 19lb (1st 5lb) in just five hours after weighing in for his bantamweight title fight against Petr Yan at UFC 333 on Saturday. The Georgian weighed 135lb (9st 9lb), which was the same as Russian champion Yan, before the pair's co-main event fight in Abu Dhabi. Dvalishvili later uploaded a video to Instagram showing the 35-year-old stepping on scales and weighing 154lb (11st 0lb). "I've been drinking water and in only five hours I gain back 19 pounds, that's what we do, let's go," he said. "Now I'm back drinking and recovering. Now I'm going to start eating. Eat food first, then tomorrow you guys already know who I'm going to eat." Fighters typically cut weight by shedding water in the days before a bout, before rehydrating to regain weight – a process that can provide a physical advantage inside the octagon.

The UFC has taken a number of steps to make weight cuts safer over the years, including banning IV drips, which forces fighters to hydrate in a healthier way, and building the Performance Institute, which provides guidance for its athletes from professional health experts. UFC fighters are recommended to lose no more than 8% of their body weight during fight week. On fight night they are recommended to stay within 10% of