| I have to admit, I am very impressed with | | | | that is lost is actually from the inside of the cells. |
| Frankie "The Answer" Edgar's strategy of training | | | | When there is a sudden shift of fluid from the |
| at his fight weight. For a title fighter to openly | | | | inside to the outside of the cells, you can put |
| state that he does not cut weight for his fights is | | | | yourself at risk for cardiac arrest. That means |
| such a great example for other fighters. I know | | | | your heart can stop. Translation: YOU CAN DROP |
| there are some other fighters that also stick to | | | | DEAD. |
| this philosophy, but with the recent win of Edgar, I | | | | Doing this over and over again, fight after fight, |
| will focus on him. For a fighter to NOT cut weight | | | | takes a toll on you emotionally, hormonally, and |
| goes against YEARS of tradition and entrenched | | | | physically. It provides the perfect breeding ground |
| thinking, but it has to stop. The practice of cutting | | | | for eating disorders, chronic disease (kidney, |
| weight makes no sense at all. Maybe no one is | | | | heart, osteoporosis) as well as chronic injuries that |
| questioning it. Is it "forbidden" to question it? I am | | | | just never seem to completely heal. |
| questioning it. | | | | Even though there is stress on the body when |
| MMA is perfectly poised to really set an example | | | | cutting weight, there is also stress when you |
| in the world of athletics. MMA athletes are | | | | carbo load AFTER starving. Then there is the |
| perhaps the most well conditioned athletes in the | | | | stress of healing and recovery after the fight. |
| world. A successful MMA fighter is cardiovascularly | | | | When it is all over, the body ends up spending a |
| fit, is strong, has explosive strength, is flexible, | | | | lot of time in a VERY stressful state. For fighters |
| quick, mentally focused, is disciplined in all areas of | | | | that take fights close together, the body never |
| training, I could keep going! Why would an athlete | | | | really gets a chance to fully recover. |
| of that caliber do anything that compromises any | | | | There is a great commentary on this very issue |
| one element of his game plan? Think about it. In | | | | at the following link: |
| terms of taking care of your body, and putting | | | | In a world where discipline, pain, and suffering are |
| yourself in the best possible position to challenge | | | | applauded and aspired to, I can certainly see |
| an opponent, why would you starve and stress | | | | where "cutting weight" is also a part of getting |
| yourself days leading up to a fight? Let's look at | | | | tough. Unfortunately, it's dangerous and potentially |
| what happens when you do that: | | | | puts your life at risk. Get smart, guys. Train at |
| You lose water weight, yes. BUT, some water | | | | your fight weight. |