UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagamedov Had Seizures While Trying to Cut Weight For UFC 229…
One of the main reasons why Khabib Nurmagamedov is so effective in the UFC lightweight division is because he’s massive. Out of competition, the Dagestani Fighter walks around at about 200 lbs. That’s why he’s able to train and compete with bonafide light-heavyweights and heavyweights including Luke Rockhold, Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez at AKA in California.
However, it also comes at a severe cost. He has to cut down 45lbs to make the 155lb cut-off point. That’s an absolutely savage weight cut. To put that in perspective, Conor McGregor walks around at about 175. His cut of about 20-25lbs, depending on the event is positively tame in comparison.
This can have a detrimental effect on your body. Khabib opened up in an interview with his fans the other day, revealing how he actually had several seizures while trying to make weight. This is clearly insane.
Bad Cut
One of the main headlines coming into the fight was the fact that Khabib was the first fighter on the card to make weight. This was seen as a massive statement because he has had problems in the past. Most notably he was hospitalized when he was supposed to fight Tony Ferguson back at UFC 209. Khabib revealed the problems he faced this time around:
“I slept very good on the day before the fight, because the day before that I didn’t sleep at all. I had a serious weight cut. I made weight 7 hours ahead of time. I had seizures, I threw up even tough I didn’t have anything inside of me. I felt really bad. I probably wouldn’t tell about this if I didn’t win the fight, because it would sound like an excuse. Everything turned out well, I won. But I just want to tell you that I felt pretty bad.”
Not Right
There clearly needs to be some investigation and reform in the UFC regarding weight cuts. Fighter safety should be paramount. Should a fighter be forcing his body to do something that causes him seizures, puts him in hospital, or even once back at UFC 160, caused him to miss weight?
Why there is no 165 lb division yet is absolutely ridiculous. Look at the fighters you could have in there: Kevin Lee, Nate Diaz, Dustin Poirier, Nurmagamedov, Georges St. Pierre… the list goes on and on. At the very least there should surely be some sort of monitoring system to ensure that fighters’ weight cuts are being done safely.
Weight Cut
When fighters cut weight they are literally dehydrating their bodies. They’ll load up with water and then go up to 24hours without drinking water. Salt is entirely removed from the diet the day before weigh-ins because sodium causes your body to hold onto water.
This will cause your body to flush out fluid, in the form of urine and sweat. Saunas and blankets are commonly used in these final stages. Fighters are usually visibly drained and emaciated on the scales. ONE Championship uses a different system where they use hydration tests to ensure the fighter’s well-being. The UFC needs to learn.
