Jake Quickenden has revealed the huge change to his body after the best part of a year training for Oktagon 48.
The X Factor star will come up against comedian Paul Smith this weekend as part of Stage to the Cage, and the pair will compete at the AO Arena to see just how far they have come.
Speaking to Oktagon MMA, the singer explained just what months of practice and lifestyle changes have done to and for him.
He said: “One of those body fat machines said I was five percent body fat but I'm not sure if that's real. I'd say maybe 7 or 8 percent body fat, so the rest of my weight cut will be water, which usually happens for the final bit. And then I get to rehydrate and eat and hopefully I'll be full of energy for Saturday night.”
Quickenden also reflected on the mental strain of the shift, explaining: “Making the weight has been the mental challenge for me because I do love my food. I've been off the booze for over a year and I've changed my diet quite a lot. I used to eat a lot of rubbish and I haven't been. I can't wait for it to be over so I can have a kebab and maybe a beer.
“It's made me mentally stronger; it's been tough, I've been grumpy, tired and hungry but I've kept a strong mind throughout.
“Your body is 60 percent water, so you're sweating the water out to make weight, so Friday morning I'll weigh in and I'll be pretty dehydrated, I won't have any carbs. I'll weigh in at 77kg and then you get to rehydrate, which is the fun bit, and then some food which will be absolute heaven. I started this whole process at 97kg, so when I make weight at 77kg I will have lost 20kg, which is a lot of weight.”