Under the bright lights of the weigh-in stage, a fighter steps forward—eyes sunken, skin pale, and body trembling, having pushed themselves to the brink. In this moment, the brutal price of competing in the UFC becomes glaringly apparent.
It’s not uncommon to see fighters show up to weigh-ins with a near-corpse-like appearance, yet they still make weight. But behind these dramatic weigh-ins lies a grueling, dangerous process that pushes fighters to extreme lengths. What many fans don’t see are the long-term risks and intense struggles UFC fighters endure during extreme weight cuts.
In this article, we’ll expose the harsh reality of rapid weight loss in mixed martial arts and the serious consequences fighters face as they chase weight goals at the cost of their health.
Understanding UFC Weight Divisions
When the UFC first launched in 1993, combat sports were dominated by boxing, and very few had exposure to mixed martial arts. At the time, there was only one weight class. In 1997, the UFC introduced more weight divisions to make the sport more inclusive.
Currently, there are four divisions for female fighters and eight divisions for male fighters.
What Drives Extreme Weight Cuts?
What Drives Extreme Weight Cuts?
We often see both male and female fighters dragged through intense weigh-ins before a match. But why do they push themselves so far? It boils down to two major factors:
- The UFC’s weight division structure
- Fighters chasing wealth and glory
UFC’s Weight Division Design
Unlike boxing, where weight divisions have a 3-5 lbs difference, the UFC’s weight classes are much broader. For lighter fighters, the average gap between divisions is around 12 lbs, while for heavier fighters, it can be as much as 20 lbs. This means that a fighter weighing 170 pounds may try to compete in the featherweight division—requiring a cut of 25 lbs or more.
UFC fighters are required to weigh in the day before their fight. This leads them to engage in extreme weight-cutting practices. Fighters who stay active maintain about 8-10% body fat and can drop 5-8 lbs during training without majorly affecting performance. But for those attempting to fight in a lower division, drastic methods are often used to shed upwards of 40 lbs!
If UFC weight classes had smaller gaps, like boxing, fighters wouldn’t need to resort to these dangerous extremes. Narrower divisions would also give athletes more chances to win titles across categories without endangering their health.
Fighters Chasing Wealth and Glory
Fighters know that competing in multiple weight classes is a surefire way to gain attention in social media. Facing champions from different divisions, combined with the extreme weight cuts they endure, turns them into headline material. The more tweets or instagram posts on them, the more likely they are to secure high-paying fights. But in chasing fame and fortune, they push their bodies to dangerous and often unsustainable levels just to make weight.
The Dark Side of UFC Fighters’ Weight-Cutting
Have you heard about Yang Jiang Bing? On December 11, 2015, the 21-year-old ONE Championship fighter tragically passed away. His official cause of death was “cardiopulmonary failure,” but the truth is that complications from weight cutting took his life.
This is the most extreme consequence of a process that leaves long-lasting effects on the body, both physically and mentally. Fighters who repeatedly go through these drastic weight cuts face numerous short- and long-term risks, such as:
- Eating Disorders
- Dehydration and Brain Function
Eating Disorders
One of the lesser-known consequences of extreme weight cutting of MMA fighters is the development of eating disorders. Fighters restrict their diet for long periods during training camp, often leading to psychological and physical consequences after the fight. This cycle can lead to binge eating once the restrictions are lifted, causing an unhealthy relationship with food.
An example of this comes from the famous Minnesota Starvation Experiment of 1945, where 36 men were restricted to a diet of only 1,600 calories for several months. Participants became obsessed with food, experienced depression, and showed signs of dietary deficiency. Once the restrictions were lifted, they binged, consuming up to 10,000 calories in one meal.
This behavior mirrors what many UFC fighters experience after their extreme diets end. For instance, Paddy Pimblett has spoken openly about how MMA has contributed to his disordered eating, often gaining significant weight after fights due to uncontrollable binge eating.
Fighters like Paul Felder and Kay Hansen have also struggled with post-fight binge eating, highlighting the toll that these cycles take on both their mental and physical health.
Dehydration and Brain Function
At the heart of extreme weight cuts is dehydration. Fighters use techniques like water cutting, hot baths, and saunas to rapidly shed water weight. While this may help them make weight, the effects on the body are serious and long-lasting.
Fighters are given 24 hours to rehydrate before stepping into the octagon. While they may regain some of the weight, a significant portion of fighters remain dehydrated. According to a study, about 39% of fighters are still dehydrated when they compete, leaving them at risk of serious injury.
Dehydration doesn’t just affect muscles—it also impacts brain function. Fighters often step into the octagon with inadequate cerebral spinal fluid, which acts as a cushion for the brain inside the skull. With less fluid protecting the brain, fighters are at a greater risk of concussions and life-threatening injuries from punches, kicks, and elbows
The pursuit of victory in the UFC comes with undeniable sacrifice. Fighters push their bodies to extreme limits, all in the name of glory, fame, and fortune. But as we’ve seen in tragic cases like Yang Jiang Bing’s, the cost of extreme weight cutting can sometimes be fatal.
While the UFC continues to grow as a global sport, it’s time to reconsider the dangerous practices fighters are driven to. Narrower weight divisions, stricter regulations on cutting methods, and better oversight could offer fighters a safer path to competition.
Until these changes are made, fighters will continue to walk the fine line between ambition and jeopardizing their long-term health.
The question remains: How much longer will athletes be forced to gamble with their lives in the pursuit of success?