Which weight class would be best for me?
 

I just started training mma a couple months ago and am looking to start fighting. Im 5'11" and about 158lbs. I was wondering if it would be best for me to put on several pounds of muscle and cut to 155 or to just cut from 158 down to 145.

erm u do realise muscle weighs waaaaay more than fat, so if u gain muscle u will go up even if u loose some weight. if u can try and stay at 155 or try and move to 170, ur 5'11 ur not exactly small, yes u will probs have hight advantages @155 but i recomend u slowly hit 170 dude.

Yeah but the only problem is i have a very high metabolism and even eating 5 meals a day and lifting 4-5 times a week it seems i can never get over 160lbs.

You should fight anywhere from lightweight to middleweight.
130-160lbs. Once you start getting past 170lbs and above which is light heavyweight those fighters for the most part will start being above 6'0" and would present some difficulties for you with reach and weight.

Im talking weight classes for MMA, lightweight is 155 and welterweight is 170. I think you are talking boxing weight classes.

i know were ur coming from , im 6'1 and eat like a pig yet im 160 atm.
tell me this, hows ur body? is it strong,fast and condtioned enough to last 3 rounds?
if its strong enough and your fitness is good, then just stay at LW, but i strongly advise u try and hit 170 if you can, how old are you?

Im 19 and im fairly strong. I bench 200lbs max and have pretty strong legs. I played basketball and ran track and cross country in high school and i have stayed conditioned since then. I have tap matches with my brother who is an animal when it comes to working out, he is 6'0" 185lbs and benches like 285lbs and plays football, basketball, and runs track but even before i started training i would always beat him in tap matches. Im a blue belt in jiu-jitsu and can hold my own with most of the more advanced guys who train at my gym.

Definitely cut to 145. You would be small for 155 and get out muscled pretty easy. You're 5'11" so you would have a height advantage on most of the fighters at 145 most likely. You wouldn't be at a disadvantage as far as strength goes either. 145 would be the way to go.

Yeah I was thinking 145 also unless i can somehow get up to 165-170, then i would be big enough that i could cut to 155 and not get out muscled.

You said you have a high metabolism so that might give you problems with gaining weight.