35 Pounds Gained: How Wiz Khalifa Went From Skinny to Buff With MMA — 10 Before-and-After Photos

For years, he was one of rap's most recognizable lean stars. Then came a surprising transformation that saw him pack on roughly 35 pounds of muscle. The difference is striking — and the before-and-after photos tell the story better than words ever could.

Wiz Khalifa's transformation over the years has been impossible to miss. Once known for his ultra-slim frame, the rapper gradually added around 35 pounds of muscle through an intense commitment to mixed martial arts training.

When fans first noticed the change around the release of "Rolling Papers 2" in 2018, many wondered how the Pittsburgh-born artist had gone from weighing roughly 140 pounds to a much more muscular 175.

The comments fueled speculation about whether Khalifa might eventually compete professionally.

The answer, it turned out, had little to do with traditional bodybuilding and everything to do with MMA. Khalifa revealed at the time that his journey into combat sports began after years of being outmatched by cousins who trained in martial arts.

What started as a desire to defend himself eventually became a serious passion. After initially exploring Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he found himself increasingly drawn to muay thai, the striking-based discipline that would ultimately reshape both his body and daily routine.

The change did not happen overnight. Training became a central part of his life, with Khalifa spending hours at a time in the gym several days a week. According to him:

"I wake up in the morning, eat some food. I'd go to Unbreakable around like noon because I'm an afternoon worker. I'd stay there for about two to three hours. Then get a shake and eat. I'd go home and [...] hit the studio, be awesome."

The structure brought a level of discipline he admitted he had never previously maintained. As the physical results became more visible, they also attracted attention from figures within the MMA world.

Around that time, Jay Glazer, founder of Unbreakable Performance Center in Los Angeles, publicly praised Khalifa's progress, suggesting the rapper's body shots had surprised even experienced fighters and trainers.

The comments fueled speculation about whether Khalifa might eventually compete professionally. However, the rapper never fully embraced those expectations.

While he acknowledged that he had developed legitimate fighting skills through years of training, he made it clear that music remained his primary focus. Fighting was something he enjoyed and respected, but not necessarily a career path he intended to pursue.

Perhaps more important than the added weight was what the process taught him mentally.

Still, the transformation extended far beyond appearances. Khalifa explained that the demanding workouts forced him to increase his calorie intake significantly.

Training regularly left him hungry throughout the day, leading him to eat far more frequently than he had in the past. Rather than relying on junk food, he focused on full meals to support his recovery and muscle growth.

Perhaps more important than the added weight was what the process taught him mentally. Khalifa described discovering that many physical limits were temporary barriers that could be overcome through consistency and repetition.

Exercises and conditioning drills that once seemed impossible eventually became routine, reinforcing the idea that growth often comes from pushing beyond discomfort.

The experience also introduced him to a new community. Through years of training, Khalifa developed relationships with several notable names in combat sports and became increasingly immersed in MMA culture. The rapper shared:

"The fighting community is really cool. All of the fighters that I meet, or anybody that I train with, they're super forward with the knowledge and really cool as far as teaching technique and combos. [...] You meet a lot of good people, and you meet a lot of friends."

That connection ultimately evolved into a business opportunity. In April 2021, the Professional Fighters League announced that Khalifa had become an investor in the organization and would serve in an advisory capacity.

The partnership reflected how deeply his interest in MMA had grown since those early days in the gym. As part of the arrangement, Khalifa worked with the league on initiatives involving music, content creation, and MMA-inspired lifestyle branding.

The PFL also incorporated his music into events throughout its season while collaborating with him on original content designed to connect combat sports with broader pop culture audiences.

At the time, Khalifa said he was proud to join the organization, noting that he had spent years training in MMA and had become a devoted fan of the sport.

PFL CEO Peter Murray similarly praised the partnership, saying the rapper would help strengthen the league's cultural reach and connect with fans around the world.

Looking back, Wiz Khalifa's transformation was about far more than gaining 35 pounds. What began as an effort to keep up with family members evolved into a years-long commitment that changed his physique, mindset, and even his business interests.

The before-and-after photos below tell part of the story, but the bigger picture is how a casual introduction to MMA became one of the defining lifestyle changes of his adult life.

Before

After