Introduction
Combat sports like wrestling, boxing, and MMA are divided into weight categories. This way, athletes can compete in their respective weight classes and ensure fair competition. However, to cut weight and compete at a specific class is not easy. The competitors have to go through rigorous weight cuts in order to compete. So, let’s explore more about weight cutting in combat sports and ways to make it easier for competitors involved.
Why Do Athletes Cut Weight?
The majority of athletes weigh more than the weight class in which they compete. This way they can gain some pounds on the day of the competition. Moreover, if an athlete competes at their natural weight, they will often face a disadvantage.
- Weight advantage
- Fight at lower weight class
- Reduce competition
The reason is that athletes are cutting from their natural weight to compete at lower weight classes. Thus, this loophole is utilized by different sportsmen to gain or at least hold their advantage.
How Athletes Cut Multiple Pounds Within Few Days
Athletes competing at a particular weight class need to ensure their weight. If they are cutting, they need to stop eating carbs and sodium. The reason is that the weight loss by athletes is mostly water. So, basically, the body is dehydrated and rehydrated over the course of a few days to achieve the weight class.
As discussed earlier, sodium and carbohydrates hold water in the body. So, the athletes shift over to a more ketogenic diet. Other than that, they also sweat a lot through workouts and saunas. All these actions lead to water loss and ultimately weight loss within a few days.
Risks Associated With Weight Cutting in Combat Sports
One of the biggest risks associated with weight cutting is kidney failure. Our body is not made to lose or gain water in short intervals.
The whole process can damage the internal organs and can cause death as well. Still, athletes in MMA and boxing put their lives in danger to make weight and ensure some weight advantage.
Rehydration: An Important Facet of Weight Cutting
Weight cutting doesn’t mean stopping water intake. Instead, the athletes drink more water to facilitate the weight loss process. The reason is that the more the athlete drinks, the more they sweat or urinate to lose body water weight.
Weight Cutting Ensures Transparency in Competition
At this point, you might be wondering about the negative aspects of weight cutting in sports. However, the one thing that is ensured by weight cutting is transparency.
Yes, athletes do not fight at their natural weight class, but this goes for all athletes. So, in a way, the bouts are taking place between the two competitors, just not in their natural weight class!
Can Combat Sports Go Beyond Weight Cutting?
The best solution to reduce weight-cutting problems and bully problems is to weigh in before fighting. This will force athletes to fight at their natural weight classes. Moreover, it will ensure that more weight classes are formulated, which ultimately grows the sports and benefits the athletes.
Final Thoughts on Weight Cutting in Combat Sports
Weight cutting is a crucial aspect of combat sports. However, it should not undermine athletic performance during the bouts. That is why commissions must ensure weigh-ins just before bouts. This way, we can reduce the amount of weight bullies in combat sports. Thus, it leads to a fair, competitive, and high-skilled sport.