Ilya Topuria became the first Spanish world champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Martial arts fighter competed in the category Feather-weight, so I didn’t need to exceed 65.8 kg at the time of weighing. However, it usually weighs around 80 kg. For this reason, as is common in this type of competition, he had to go on a weight loss diet that was as extreme as it was dangerous.
This is to call severe dehydration before weigh-in, and then start replacing both the water and the lost calories, regaining much of that weight. In this type of competition, the weight indicated on the scale during weigh-in is taken into account. After that, it doesn’t matter how much weight they gain, so fighters strive to recover as much as possible in order to have a certain advantage over their opponents.
This is a maneuver that is not just almost torture, as Ilya Topuria stated. It can also become very dangerous. In fact, there are several known cases of UFC fighters dying due to similar strategies.
Strict weight loss program of Ilya Topuria
In several interviews before the fight, Ilya Topuria described her weight loss program before the weigh-in.
The routine begins three months before the fight, with careful control of your diet. Everything is controlled: from calories to the amount of salt in foods. But in fact, the big test for Ilya Topuria began a week before the weigh-in.
Initially, he had to significantly increase the amount of water he drank each day. First 4 liters, then 6, later 8 and finally no more and no less than 10 liters of water.. Then, immediately before weighing, severe dehydration. Water consumption suddenly stops and is accompanied by processes that cause you to sweat all the water you drank in the previous days. These are mainly periods sauna followed by mummification, which consists of wrapping the entire body with plastic film to 20 minutes. Then, after a short rest, the same sauna and mummification procedure is repeated 6-8 times a day.
As Ilya Topuria himself noted in some interviews, the only thing he drinks before weighing is half a liter of red wine. This, in his opinion, is beneficial for two reasons. On the one hand, because it helps him sleep before the fight. On the other hand, because it promotes dehydration. However, we know that alcohol is generally dehydrating. Anyone who has had a hangover knows this. It is also true that drinking such drinks can make us believe that we sleep better. So why do you choose wine?
The misleading benefits of wine for UFC weigh-ins
The reason why Ilya Topuria chose red wine and not another alcoholic drink has a scientific basis. But you will have to take it with tweezers.
There are studies that analyze how resveratrol, a substance present in red wine, helps improve athletic performance. This is real, but there are two important details. On the one hand, most of these studies have been carried out. in rats, and not in people. And on the other hand, the effects of resveratrol are one thing, since independent connectionand all the wine in general.
There are also studies that show the beneficial effects of another compound in red wine: quercetin. This is a substance that blocks the action of a protein involved in the removal of excess testosterone into the blood through urine. As a result, the concentration testosteronea hormone that, among other functions, helps build new muscles and improve athletic performance.
Risks of weight loss
All these strategies implemented by Ilya Topuria carry numerous risks, both for health and for oneself. sports achivments.
As for the latter, if everything is done correctly, it is clear that sports results are beneficial. However, an estimated 34% of militants following this strategy they don’t replace enough fluid face combat and are still dehydrated. As a result, blood volume decreases, and with it the level of hemoglobin, the function of which is to transport oxygen. If sufficient oxygen cannot be transported, it is obvious that performance will also suffer.
On the other hand, during the sudden weight loss stage, the body may pull glycogen stores. It is a polysaccharide that serves as an energy reserve. If sufficient amounts of sugar and fat are no longer consumed, these accumulated reserves begin to be used up. And if these reserves are used up and not adequately replaced, they will not be able to replace damaged muscles.
Finally, it should be noted that in some cases there may be kidney damage or heat stroke in a sauna this can be fatal. One of the most high-profile cases of death due to this type of strategy was the case of Leandro “Feijao” Souza. In 2013, he was informed about the fight, so he had to lose. 15 kilograms in a week. If you compare him to Ilya Topuria, who gradually lost weight over three months, then by the last week he had only 8 left. It is still dangerous, but not as dangerous as the challenge that Souza put himself through. Unfortunately, this challenge cost him his life.
There have also been cases of death in children’s categories, since such extreme restrictions cannot be applied to such young fighters. This has significantly changed the strategies pursued children’s and adolescent trainers so that incidents of this type do not occur.
Wine is not as healthy as Ilya Topuria believes
As for wine, we must not forget that no matter how much resveratrol and quercetin it contains, there is still alcohol and this only carries risks, both for athletes and for everyone else.
Moreover, although Ilya Topuria claims that she sleeps better with him, this is a false illusion. This may help you fall asleep in the early stages. However, it has been more than proven that alcohol blocks REM sleep, necessary for relaxation. It also causes more awakenings during the night. Therefore, although you may be able to go to bed earlier, the rest that is so important in the face of combat will be much worse.
In short, hitting the tatami is not the biggest risk that athletes like Ilya Topuria are exposed to. Yes, they do a medical examination, but even then sometimes The consequences can be fatal.
Source: Hiper Textual