We are in the final stretch of preparing for the stellar combat of UFC 308 that will face Ilia Topuria with Max Holloway and finally one of the decisive moments has taken place, weighing. Both fighters have managed to weigh 145 pounds (65.7 kg) on ​​the scale and, therefore, the fight is official. Now, the featherweight champion is in the final hours of recovery before the fight.
For Topuria, the weight cutting process has not always been easy. The usual weight of the Hispanic-Georgian is about 80 kilos. If we take into account that during weighing cannot exceed 65.7 kilosTopuria has lost approximately fifteen. This weight loss—logically—is done gradually, although the last week is key to getting rid of the last five or six kilos, something that is achieved through a dehydration process.
What can result It is surprising that, after the weigh-in, the fighters can regain so much weight in such a short time. In fact, in his last fight against Alexander Volkanovski, ‘El Matador’ reached gain more than 10 kilos just before fighting. For this quick recovery, the Hispanic-Georgian has the help of his medical-sports team led by Doctor Aldo.
Re-hydration
Topuria himself has reported in different interviews that in the process of cutting weight the body is “tricked” into dehydrating it: first, by drinking a lot of water and then, by drastically reducing its consumption. “What you do is trick your kidney, you give it a signal like you have a lot of water. You start expelling the water because The kidney thinks that you are going to add more water, it becomes overwhelmed and releases more than normal. That’s when you take advantage and go into the saunayou start to sweat and you don’t replenish it, you stay dry. There you lose five, six kilos,” explained ‘El Matador’.
Well, once the weighing is carried out, the fighter begins a meticulous re-hydration process. First, it is hydrated orally with a compound of mineral salts and electrolytes, as explained by Doctor Aldo in The Great Game. Next come isotonic and high-carbohydrate drinks. And once you have regained the large amount of fluids you had lost, when Topuria urinates, you can begin to consume solid foods gradually to gain energy for combat.
Another fundamental part of recovery is rest. The featherweight champion will have to reduce his activities as much as possible until Saturday’s fight.
Holloway, emaciated
As for Max Holloway, the Hispanic-Georgian’s rival at UFC 308, although he has made weight, it is important to highlight that I have never seen him so emaciated.
It is also essential to remember that the BMF champion moved up a weight category in his last fight last April, when he faced Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. Thus, it is likely that all the muscle he carried to face him at lightweight It could have taken its toll. In a few hours, you can see how both fighters have recovered when inside the UFC octagon.
