No one imagines weight cutting to be fun, but how bad it it, really?
According to UFC lightweights Jim Miller and James Vick, weight cutting isn’t just miserable, it’s likely causing their bodies irreparable harm.
“I was peeing blood,” Miller told Bleacher Report’s Scott Harris. “And my kidneys hurt.”
Due to the stints of rapid dehydration over the course of his career, Miller says he developed kidney stones. A year before, he suffered a “full-blown” kidney infection.
“It’s kind of miserable,” said Miller. “You get kind of foggy. It’s hard to make decisions. I get a headache, a little bit of weakness. My cut is not on the extreme end.
“I think [weight cutting] has definitely had an effect on my body. It’s something I don’t feel today, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it took a couple years off my life.”
Miller has competed even lighter at featherweight, but years ago vowed he’d never do it again.
“I fought at 145 my fourth fight [in 2006] and I walked around at about 162 pounds before that fight,” Miller explained on MMA Uncensored in 2012. “If you go and look at the photos of that fight – it was Reality Fighting: Battle at the Beach – it looks like my veins are gonna pop out of my skin. And I was walking around at 160 pounds. I was disgustingly vascular. It was a decently tough cut, I’m fifteen pounds heavier than that now…it would take too much effort.”
While Miller has had 32 professional MMA bouts since 2005, 8-0 James Vick is just getting started. Vick’s problem? He stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall, seven inches taller than Miller.
“You feel like you’re gonna die,” Vick said of the weight cutting process. “It’s hard to explain how painful it is. You have the attention span of a two-year-old. You can’t focus on anything. If I fought on the day I weighed in, I’d lose to anyone.”
Given his height, Vick says his “walking-around weight” sits right about at 185 pounds, meaning he’ll be cutting 30 or so pounds on fight week.
“People look at me like I’m nuts when I tell them [how much weight I cut],” Vick said. “But I do it because of the size advantage it gives me.”
[read the rest of excellent profile on weight cutting here]
5 MUST-READ STORIES
One of the greats. After 17 years, legendary heavyweight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira announces retirement from MMA at 39.
Not so fast. Fedor Emelianenko’s long-time friend and manager Vadim Finkelchtein tells MMAFighting.com that “The Last Emperor” has yet to sign with any particular organization.
Not a fan. UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson says a fight between Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg at 135 pounds would be “garbage.” “It’s not going to be the same Cris Cyborg at 145 that’s going to be all drained, especially without an IV.”
Strong words. Paige VanZant thinks women in her division with “masculine physiques” are on PEDs.
‘It’s a very scary incident for our victim.’ Chris Leben receives 120 days of jail time, three years probation and he has been ordered to stay away from his ex-wife for the next 10 years for attempted break in.
MEDIA STEW
John Dodson is tired of everyone confusing him with Demetrious Johnson.
Big Nog discusses his decision to retire with our own Gui Cruz.
Andrei Arlovski’s UFC 191 training vlog.
Donald Cerrone and the crew expanding the ranch.
Pros Predict UFC 191: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson 2.
Free Fight: Josh Barnett vs Mark Hunt.
Long watches.
‘You’re Welcome’ with Chael Sonnen – Joe Warren & Anthony “Rumble” Johnson
…
TWEETS
Legend.
Big Nog is a legend in the sport of MMA. It has been an honor to watch him compete and I’m happy to see him retire. pic.twitter.com/TiBweWyX6X
— Dana White (@danawhite) September 1, 2015
Today a true pioneer and legend of MMA retires in @Minotauromma thank you for the legendary performances. Ouss!
— michael (@bisping) September 2, 2015
@minotauromma parabens pela belíssima carreira eterno Campeao, nosso Rocky Balboa, que honra tive em… https://t.co/Y53VD1Q7Qs
— Wanderlei Silva (@wandfc) September 1, 2015
Congrats for everything you did for the sport!!Parabéns por tudo que vc fez pelo esporte!!!… https://t.co/ZgHT1AaYXE
— Lyoto Machida (@lyotomachidafw) September 1, 2015
Hoje é um dia muito especial para todos fãs do verdadeiro VALE TUDO(MMA) Dia q @minotauromma se… https://t.co/TtFgYXIxIg
— Fabricio Werdum (@FabricioWerdum) September 1, 2015
@Minotauromma was always a warrior who inspired many athletes including myself, Thank you for sharing an extraordinary career with all.
— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) September 1, 2015
Soon.
100 days before fight. 100 ???? ?? ???. #TUF22finale #ufc #khkmmateam #dagestan https://t.co/S9m0TYGhrO
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 2, 2015
Congrats.
I know y’all been waiting to see her. Well here she is. Baby Delilah Skye Dodson. pic.twitter.com/M8O20ORQp1
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) September 2, 2015
Sorry.
I gotta know is FEDOR BACK????? @ufc he’s my pick for the GOAT I dont care that he lost he’s still the GOAT natural too!
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) September 1, 2015
.@MrMWellsArt @ufc report is not accurate whatsoever
— Dave Sholler (@Sholler_UFC) September 1, 2015
Winning.
Currently in the lead @ClipperRace! #GREATBritain Track the race here: http://t.co/Ye8aFPZgvt pic.twitter.com/ybKV5k1Ap9
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) September 1, 2015
No more Bas?
Welcome to the team @sonnench!! @MMAWorldSeries #WSOF
— Ray Sefo (@SugarRaySefo) September 2, 2015
I want to welcome @sonnench to the @MMAWorldSeries broadcast team http://t.co/tRGpp6wtdi
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) September 1, 2015
Not fun.
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Poor Luke.
Never felt so small RT @ufc: The @DetroitPistons are on their #DetroitGrind this week at #TUFGym! @BrandonMagnus pic.twitter.com/iP4rMKkgVB
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) September 2, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Sept. 1 2015)
Doo Ho Choi vs. Sam Sicilia at UFC Fight Night: Alves vs. Henderson
Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman at UFC on FOX 17
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via MelE5150
The Heart Of American Top Team
I know Ricardo Liborio as a kind, generous friend with a sweet, supportive nature. Being a fan of Mixed Martial Arts, I was aware of American Top Team’s reputation as a top notch gym and for coaching elite athletes like Robbie Lawler, Thiago Alves, Tyron Woodley, and Jorge Masvidal to name just a few. I was unaware of Mr. Liborio’s status as a martial artist until I casually mentioned him to a few friends who study grappling.
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
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