Being a strength and conditioning coach, I am reasonably aware of the strategies and methods for dropping water weight. In particular I've helped powerlifters do this over the years.
The general idea is that you want to gain an advantage by dipping into a lower weight class, and rehydrating back to where you were before the cut, or more. Higher bodyweight in powerlifting usually improves leverages, so for many, it is worth doing.
Anthony Johnson has a history of not making weight. This was the third time he failed to make weight in varying degrees. It cost him endurance, strength, and ultimately his UFC contract. He may be back if he works the minor leagues and demonstrates he can cut weight correctly and actually shows up in the right shape.
There are a few simple ways to avoid these problems. Stay within 10% of your fighting weight year round. Basically that would mean that AJ wouldn't have gone above about 202lbs. The general consensus is that anything over a 5% weight loss has the potential to effect performance. If AJ had started at 202, trained himself down to 195 over the training cycle. Then the week before @ 195, if he depleted, he would have easily made weight and not suffered in performance.
Fighters and coaches seem to confuse weight with strength and being prepared. Being heavy simpliciter is not necessarily better. The ideal situation is to be in the best shape possible.
The UFC could simply institute a policy of weigh-ins at 12 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 weeks out from a fight. If you are fighting at 185, 12 weeks out, you cannot be heavier than 215; 6 weeks out 205, and 3 weeks out 195. Make the weigh-ins surprises, on the spot. There would better fights due to improved conditioning and body acclimation to that weight. Fighters wouldn't be gassing, etc...and the UFC would have a much better product.
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