Weight Cutting — Starving Yourself Into a Casket for Glory and Gold
A critical look at dangerous practices in mixed martial arts and practical solutions to protect fighters' health and improve the sport.
Shit That's Broken in MMA (And How to Fix It)
By Steven J. Boardman | MMA Stalker
There's nothing quite like peeling 11 pounds off your body overnight. It's a rite of passage, a badge of masochism, and for some, a literal flirtation with death. Just ask me. I've done it. Eleven pounds. Overnight. By the end, I looked like a raisin that lost a bar fight.
But I lived. Others didn't.
The Culture of Cutting: "Suffer Now, Rehydrate Later"
The Strategic Edge
In MMA, weight cutting isn't just accepted — it's expected. Because walking into the cage as the "bigger man" is still seen as a strategic edge. Size, reach, power — these are currency in the cage.
The Physical Cost
And people are willing to bankrupt their bodies for it.
The Science of Stupid: What Happens During a Cut
Kidney Failure
Your kidneys freak out.
Electrolyte Imbalance
Your electrolytes go haywire.
Brain Damage
Your brain literally shrinks away from your skull.
One study found 39% of UFC fighters were severely dehydrated at weigh-ins, and more than half were still dehydrated on fight night. We're flirting with organ failure for a competitive edge.
The Deaths: Yes, They've Happened
Leandro Souza
Died during weight cut
Yang Jian Bing
Died during weight cut
Permanent Damage
Fighters have lost kidneys. Some never fight again.
Leandro Souza, Yang Jian Bing, and others have died cutting weight. This is not a game. It's a gamble with human life.
Wrestling and BJJ: Lessons from the Mat
Wrestling's Approach
Wrestling has imposed hydration tests, body fat monitoring, and certified weight classes. It's not perfect, but it's not deadly anymore.
BJJ's Solution
BJJ usually has same-day weigh-ins. That means no room for extreme dehydration. You fight close to your walk-around weight or you suffer, instantly.
ONE Championship: Actual Innovation
Walk-around weight tracking
Fighters must maintain a healthy weight between fights
Hydration tests
Ensures fighters aren't dangerously dehydrated
Multiple weigh-ins
Prevents last-minute extreme cutting
Result? Fewer deaths, better performance. And no one looks like they crawled out of a tomb on weigh-in day.
The UFC Problem
Offers Advice
The UFC provides nutritionists and advice
No Regulation
But won't regulate the process
Dangerous Freedom
That's like handing a drunk the keys and saying "Drive safe!"
Need for Limits
Fighters will push the limits — it's what they do. So maybe the limits need to be smarter.
Fighter Quotes: Because the Fighters Know
"This isn't healthy, man. I looked like I was dying... because I kinda was." — Darren Till
Darren Till has been open about his dangerous weight cuts, including one where he temporarily went blind.
"I don't cut weight anymore. I just don't think it's worth it. I feel better, I fight better, and I don't look like Skeletor at weigh-ins." — Paul Felder
After moving up in weight class, Felder experienced better performance and recovery.
"ONE's system? It's smart. It's safe. Why aren't more promotions doing it?" — Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson
Johnson has competed in both the UFC and ONE Championship, giving him unique perspective on both systems.
"Weight cutting is legalized self-harm for athletes who should know better but can't stop." — An anonymous MMA nutritionist
Many nutritionists struggle with the ethical implications of helping fighters cut weight.
"I walked into the cage after cutting 20 pounds in a week. I felt like a zombie. My opponent didn't beat me — the scale did." — James Vick
Vick has spoken about how extreme weight cutting affected his performance and chin.
"You think I give a fuck about a scale? I fight people. I don't diet." — Nate Diaz
The Diaz brothers are known for their no-nonsense approach to fighting and nutrition.
"Fighters cutting 30 pounds just to get knocked out by someone smaller — that shit's hilarious." — Nick Diaz
Nick Diaz has consistently criticized the practice of extreme weight cutting throughout his career.
Final Thoughts
The Problem
I survived a brutal cut, but I wouldn't wish that misery on anyone.
The Fighters
Fighters deserve better.
The Fans
Fans deserve real performance.
The Sport
And the sport deserves a system that doesn't kill people for a competitive edge.
Call to Action
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Cut the bullshit. Not the water weight. Share this if you've ever seen a fighter barely survive a cut or wore a sauna suit in a desperate act of self-sabotage.
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Let's fix this mess.