MIXED martial arts fighters are putting their health at risk more than any other combat sport athlete by rapidly shedding almost 10kg in the lead-up to a bout, according to new research.

The risky practice of “weight cutting”, which is prevalent across all combat sports, was thrust into the spotlight after Perth teenager Jessica Lindsay died late last year from severe dehydration while trying to meet her weight limit for a Muay Thai fight.

As Perth prepares for its first UFC event , research from Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences PhD candidate Oliver Barley reveals weight cutting is more prevalent in MMA.

Mr Barley interviewed 637 athletes from MMA, boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu jitsu, judo, Muay Thai, kickboxing and Taekwondo about their weight-cutting techniques and concluded MMA fighters were losing an average of 9.8kg before each bout, or 11.5 per cent of their body weight. In some extreme cases, MMA fighters admitted losing up to 18kg.

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In comparison, those participating in Muay Thai reported losing an average of 5.9kg before a fight followed by boxers (5.3kg), Brazilian jiu jitsu (4.2kg) and judo (3.8kg) — representing an average of about 6 per cent of their body weight.

The research, published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, also revealed MMA fighters were more likely to use drastic techniques, including the use of saunas (76 per cent) and excessive fluid consumption or “water loading” (67 per cent), while they were second behind wrestlers for the most use of rubber or plastic suits while training (63 per cent).

Camera Icon Jessica Lindsay

Mr Barley said by wearing a rubber or plastic suit in a sauna a person could sweat out 5 per cent of their body weight in just two hours.

The use of laxatives, vomiting, diuretics and diet pills was less prevalent but still occurred.

Mr Barley, who has competed in MMA, said weight cutting could lead to cardiovascular problems, increased insulin sensitivity, a higher risk of brain damage during competition and, in extreme cases, death.

“No one wants to fight with someone who is bigger than they are. So the incentive is there for fighters to attempt to cut down to a lower weight class,” he said.

“Easily for me the hardest part of a fight was cutting weight, not the actual fight itself ... it’s essentially just a process of trying not to break.”

Mr Barley said weight cutting was likely to make fighters perform worse — and believed that argument would be more convincing to get them to rethink their methods.

“If their health was the most important thing to them, they wouldn’t be willing to get elbowed and kicked in the face for a competition,” he said.

“A lot of fighters I think see it as part of the preparation for the fight. They perceive it to being essential to victory. But people who lose more weight don’t actually win more.”

Mr Barley said he did not believe weight cutting could be eradicated from combat sports altogether, saying there was a “Goldilocks zone” for the practice in which a fighter could safely lose a small amount of weight in a short period of time.

Professional MMA fighter Richard Lockett said he had done about 14 weight cuts, losing at most 4.8kg, and believed some fighters trying to cut weight were dehydrating themselves for too long. After eight weeks of intense dieting during training, Lockett said he dehydrated the morning of weigh-in, typically held the afternoon before fight day.

“I think people need to be better educated before they do anything. They shouldn’t just try it because it’s written on the internet or they see something on YouTube,” he said.

“I’ve heard (some) people don’t eat for a week, which is ridiculous. How can your body function without food?”