New to Weightlifting, cut or bulk?

**Grumpusjiujitsu** · 12-29-2015, 09:58 PM

Hello Bodybuilding.com, I have a couple questions.

First of all my goal is to get as big as possible. I want to add as much muscle on my frame as lifting naturally will allow. I want aesthetic big muscle.

I have spent the last 6-7 years doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai and my weight has been all over the place. I have competed anywhere from 152 pounds to 190 pounds. I haven't lifted seriously in as many years. All my weight loss for competition has come from cardio and practicing both of my sports.

I have just recently moved to a new town where there are no muay thai or BJJ gyms and have decided to channel my time and energy in to bodybuilding. I feel like the last 6-7 years of martial arts have prepared me to work hard in a new discipline.

I just don't know where to start. I know how to cut weight, I have done it many times for competition. I have never in my life bulked or tried to put on muscle. I really don't know if I should cut and start building muscle from scratch or start a long clean bulk now. There is muscle under my current fat but not a ton. My current shape is pretty abysmal from starting a new job and moving. I am currently sitting at 197 pounds of flab. In my best BJJ competitive shape I was 152 pounds and felt like if I took a MMA fight I could have made 145 pretty easily.

I'm curious if cutting down to 165 or so (from competition experience i can cut this weight in a little under 3 months) and then starting a long clean bulk would be better then just clean bulking now. I'm talking from a clearly by the numbers outlook. I don't care to much about looking super fat while I put on muscle.

All feedback appreciated, thank you in advance.

-Edit, had to edit out the picture links.

Last picture is me two years ago at 152, first two are me now.