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In September, Daiane Silva’s attempt to cut weight for her Bellator debut turned into a life-threatening ordeal. Her body shut down from extreme dehydration, leading to kidney failure and a medically induced coma. Silva’s terrifying experience has reignited calls for major changes in MMA weight-cutting practices.
Alex Davis, Silva’s manager, described his shock upon hearing the news:
“This had never happened to me. I had never experienced it, I didn’t know enough about it. It was a first for me.”
Weight cutting, a long-standing practice in combat sports, involves extreme dehydration to meet weight class limits. While normalized, this dangerous tradition has often pushed fighters to the brink of collapse.
Silva’s recovery was a testament to resilience and support. With Bellator, her family, and close friends by her side, she defied the grim prognosis of lifelong dialysis and unconsciousness. However, her journey highlights the peril fighters endure.
Despite Silva’s recovery, Davis remains vocal about the broader issue. The risk of severe health complications or even death looms over fighters during weight cuts. He recalled similar instances in the past, including the tragic 2015 death of Yang Jian Bing during a weight cut for ONE Championship.
MMA organizations must adopt safer practices. Davis praised ONE Championship’s hydration-based weight protocols, which prevent fighters from competing while dehydrated. He noted,
“It’s impossible to get up on the scale completely dehydrated,” emphasizing the importance of these measures.
The combat sports community must address this issue systemically to prevent further tragedies. Silva’s near-death experience is a wake-up call, reminding everyone that no fight is worth risking a life.
As Davis poignantly stated,
“I don’t know if someone else has to die. The truth is as wrong as it is, as ignorant as it is, it’s still happening.”
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