Is it dangerous to lose 8 kilograms in 24 hours? Can anyone do this?
“It’s like hell in real life” this is how it defines Ilya Topuria physical training requiring lose more than 10 kilograms at the door UVK 308 which will take place this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
UFC 308 Press Conference / ALI HAIDER
Previously, at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, confrontation with Max Holloway and weighing. This is where Latin Georgians must balance their numbers and Mark the scale at 65.8 kilograms, set by category.
This may seem strange to ordinary people, but MMA and UFC fighters are already accustomed to this, especially Ilya Topuria. He has already lost 16.3 kilograms. before his fight against Alexander Volkanovskywhere he was declared world champion.
The reason is very simple compared to the complexity of the process. Ilya He needs to drop his usual 80 kilograms of weight to 65.8 to compete in his “featherweight” category.
To achieve your goal, there is a difficult preparatory period of more than 6 months, during which “Matadortrains the body and mind to achieve one hundred percent readiness for a date with history. All this for keep invincible and in world champion belt.
Ilya Topuria was preparing for UFC 308 / ILYA TOPURIA /INSTAGRAM
Right at his most important moment”Fight week“, we spoke exclusively to the person who is your shadeboth are now in Abu Dhabias in this whole process in combat conditionsand the man who knows absolutely everything about our fighter, nutritionist and physical trainer Aldo Martinez.
This is El Matador’s preparation for battle.
Last April, when Ilya confirms Max Holloway as his next title defense opponentbegan preparations for battle.
Six months may have seemed quite long to me. The fight was planned on September 14th in Las Vegasnot in Abu Dhabi.
From this moment begins the process during which meal and nutrition planning “based on the presence of organic products that promote continuous and gradual fat loss, combined with heavy training 2 and 3 sessions a day this will speed up your basal metabolism and get you ready to go.”
At this time, Topuria’s body weight is about 80 kilogramssignificantly higher than the target: 65.8 kilograms, which is what the scale should show.
Ilya Topuria protects his brand and tattooed logo for trade on both sides of the Atlantic. / AGENCIES
“When you come to a meeting with high metabolism basalyour body able to burn much more fat while sleeping. It’s accompanied good adaptation to heatplays a key role this week in terms of weight loss,” he tells us. Aldo Martinez.
As the date approaches, Dr. he adapts his daily routine and his daily allowance The last week known as “Fight Week”
This week is characterized by the fact that the moment at which fighters accelerate this process lose weight by Friday morning.
- “Contrary to what people usually think, weight loss is not achieved in one week, the most important week is over, but not all of it. Ilya always follows a strict nutrition plan. to make sure he is in optimal condition to defend his title.”
Dehydration, main character a week before the fight
“During this week, your diet excludes fibrous and starchy carbohydrates. On the other side, increase water consumption for the first few days (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) and then reduce it on Thursday to remove the fluid through the urine.”
One by one, workload is reducedbecause due to the lack of energy and “fuel” in the body, it is necessary to give rest to the fighter’s nervous system. “At this moment, The most important thing is good training planning and adequate rest.– states the doctor.
This process ends this Thursday evening, worst for fighters. It’s time for them to go to bed dehydrated and after 24 hours fast which will end only tomorrow after the weigh-in, Friday at 10:00..
Soldiers will experience the reverse process: rehydration stagewhere the athlete will begin replacing fluids from the moment they step on the scale and at controlled intervals. Water, shakes with supplements and electrolytes to ensure optimal rehydration before fight.
Dr. Aldo Martinez and Ilya Topuria in training / Aldo Martinez / INSTAGRAM
This processwhich usually lasts several three hoursprecedes the process of feeding solid products, loaded with carbohydrates that will provide you with all the energy you need to fight.
“Thanks to mineral salts and carbohydrates the starches we provide will begin regain your weight and that rebound, which is talked about so much, which will more than 10 kgas planned.” It is estimated that on the night of the fight he could have weighed about 77 kilograms.
Thus completes the work of Dr. Aldo Martinez with the fighter that he was his shadow during these 6 months and this ensures that ““This rapid weight gain will allow him to become flexible and improve his stamina in a five-round fight, thereby expressing his incredible potential.”.
Result: “Matadorwill arrive on Saturday evening at best fitness moment in the last 6 months. “Right now I feel like a dog let off a leash.” This is how a Latino-Georgian described the feeling of getting into the Octagon after this process: on Geordie Wilde’s podcast.
What is this process?
Our goal is to detail and give meaning to this process.”superhuman“, we spoke to Saul Sanchez, sports nutrition expert and former nutritionist for Deportivo de la Coruña.
This process includes combination of calorie restrictionusage external factors for example, visiting a sauna, hot water bath or pressure chamber without stopping training.
“The process is gradual. A week before the fight you start limiting carbssodium or fiber to start the process dehydration. The body begins Consume glycogen stored in muscles as well as water to shed remaining pounds.»
It should be taken into account that in the last fight with Volkanovski he lost 8 kilograms. last day before weigh-in.
“In previous days the fighter drink plenty of water. 24 hours before weigh-in totally fastwhich is combined with sauna sessions and other methods that promote hydration necessary for balancing weight.
After the weigh-in is completed Topuria the process must be reversed. The rebound effect is necessary in order to restore All lost muscle mass and for the purpose earn even more.
“Within two to three hours after weighing the fighter must recover and rehydrate to begin replenishing glycogen stores.” To do this, your medical team will provide you with all kinds of shakes and drinks rich in electrolytes, as well as foods rich in sugar. Easy digestion to restore energy and prepare for battle.
What risks does this pose to the human body?
This whole process is considered as “unnatural” And “not recommended for humans.”
A number of processes occur in the body that If left unchecked, they can be fatal.. That’s why fighters They do not fight more than two or three times a year.
- “Is physiologically impossible that the body can withstand more than two or three loads repeatedly,” says our sports nutritionist. It should be noted that weight loss limits the sports life of a fighter. “The body suffers a lot. It’s pretty hard.”
Given such a large water load, the kidneys begin to “saturate” to the point that they begin to secrete more water than usual, which can cause kidney problems in the body. unless we do it in a controlled and planned way like professional athletes do.
- “It is necessary to measure the level of dehydration well, as reaching or exceeding 10% dehydration can result in death.“
In the short term such aggressive weight loss in addition to kidney problems may launch heatstroke and cardiovascular risksince the heart has to work much harder than usual.
As for the rebound effect that occurs several hours before the fight, excellent control by specialists and fighter doctors to avoid very serious problems.
“After 24 hours without food or drink, return to food must be controlled. Otherwise, it can cause a dangerous drop in potassium levels in the body (hypokalemia). If not controlled in time, the outcome could be fatal”.
Ilya Topuria always looks good after losing weight /UFC
This won’t happen”Matador“, because Dr. Aldo Martinez He assures that already at the ceremonial weigh-in on Saturday, positive changes are noticeable in the body of Ilya Topuria, who “will reach 100% of its performance at the time of the battle“
He weight loss This is a common practice in the martial arts world, requiring careful and strategic approach. The safety and well-being of the athlete must always be a priority, ensuring that the benefits of competing in a lower weight class do not compromise their long-term health.