This Post was originally published in 2014 but is frequently updated. Scroll down to read through a lengthy list of documented injuries and deaths from rapid extreme weight cuts. If you are aware of other incidents that should be added to this list feel free to contact me with details.

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Following UFC 177, an event which had headliner Renan Barao yanked from his title bout following a difficult weight cut, UFC President Dana White was asked whether this is “a sign that the UFC can or should do anything to get involved in this process” referring to rapid extreme weight loss (“REWL”) practices which are the norm in MMA, to which White responded “Nobody’s ever been hurt from it, I mean, there’s only so much we can do“.

This reminds me of Senator Moynihan’s famous quote “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”

The truth is athletes have been hurt as a result of rapid extreme weight cutting practices. A few examples include –

Update March 3, 2019 – After losing to Diego Sanchez at UFC 235 Mickey Gall admitted “I passed out during the weight cut and my body shut down in the first round.“

In a subsequent interview Gall admitted to suffering kidney failure and at hospital he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis

Update August 10, 2019 – Aspen Ladd, after looking ill at weigh ins and then regaining 17% of her body mass on fight day, was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission from competing at bantamweight pending documentation from physicians.

Update August 28, 2019 – 6 fighters who competed at UFC 241 were told by the California State Athletic Commission that they need to move up in weight class after gaining more than 15% of their body weight back from the time of weigh ins to competition.

Update September 6, 2019 – The UFC’s Zak Cummings admitted that he feared for his life during his weight cuts to welterweight before choosing to move up a weight class.

Update September 10, 2019 – In a study recently published in the Journal of Hypertension titled “Acute Effects of Weight Loss by Dehydration on Renal Function in Mixed Martial Arts“, the authors followed an MMA athlete who underwent rapid extreme weight cut practices in MMA. The authors noted the following potential kidney issues “it was observed that the athlete presented some abnormalities during the body weight loss / gain cycle as glycosuria, non-reversible positive leukocyturia and proteinuria within 24 hours, elevated serum creatinine (1.3 mg / dL) and urea (42 mg / dL) during the peak of dehydration (day of weighing and fighting). Blood ureic nitrogen / creatinine ratio (15.8) and creatinine clearance (126.1 mL / min) were elevated during the three moments of observation, namely 30 days pre-fight, day of weighing and fighting. Elevated creatinine clearance suggests renal damage with increased filtration rate with possible renal damage from dehydration.”

Update September 10, 2019 – In a study recently published in the Journal of Sports Sciences for Health titled Weight Loss Behaviours in Brazilian Mixed Martial Arts Athletes the authors interviewed 179 pro MMA fighters and the data revealed that “Brazilian professional MMA athletes commonly undergo weight loss procedures through harmful and illegal methods regardless of sex, weight class, although international level athletes demonstrated weight management behavior that was found to be even more aggressive.”

Update October 17, 2019 – this week Sean Woodson noted that he underwent a 24-pound weight cut that he had to complete in just 4 days in order to take a short notice fight on Dana White’s Contender Series. The weight cut left him compromised with Woodson noting ““It was the hardest thing that I’d ever done in my life. I don’t ever want to do that again…Making that drastic of a cut on such short notice, I knew that my cardio took a big hit from that.”

Update November 7, 2019 – Today ESPN reports that Rudson Caliocane suffered a brain stem ischemia last month following a fight in Brazil and as a result has left sided paralysis. According to the article “Caliocane’s neurologist informed him that the ischemia was a result of an extreme weight cut, not the actual fight, which Caliocane lost to Matheus Mendonca by unanimous decision. Davis said Caliocane cut more than 15 pounds in a single day to make weight for the bout, likely via severe dehydration.”

Update November 14, 2019 – Hailey Cowan had to withdraw from her co-main event for LFA 78 after being hospitalized during her weight cut. In an instragram post Cowan noted she will move up in weight class as a result of this.

Update February 7, 2020 – This week UFC fighter Antonio Arroyo was rushed to hospital and pulled from UFC 247 after being found on the floor in obvious pain after weigh ins for the bout.

Update March 8, 2020 – After missing weight for UFC 248 Emily Whitmire was hospitalized and pulled from her bout.

Update May 13, 2020 – Today it was reported that Karl Roberson was pulled from UFC on ESPN 29 after being hospitalized due to complications from a rapid extreme weight cut. He was deemed unfit to compete.

Update June 12, 2020 – After missing weight for this week’s headlining UFC bout in Las Vegas Jessica Eye reportedly noted ““I’m done guys, I don’t think I can stand.”

Update September 4, 2020 – Combate reports the women’s bantamweight Karol Rosa was hospitalized during the weight cut for fight vs. Sijara Eubanks at UFC on ESPN+ 34 to take place in Las Vegas on September 5, 2020.