"Usually 77kg → Weigh-in 61kg" Female UFC Champion: "I nearly died losing weight"... The reason she endured the 'weight-cutting hell' was "relying on faith"

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UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Kayla Harrison (36) is undergoing a grueling weight cut that threatens her life ahead of her first title defense.

The UK's "The Sun" reported on the 11th (Korean time), "Harrison is experiencing one of the most painful weight cuts in mixed martial arts (MMA) history to make the bantamweight limit of 135 pounds (approximately 61kg)."

A former Olympic judo gold medalist, Harrison's usual weight reaches a whopping 170 pounds (approximately 77kg). Since turning to MMA, she has competed in most of her fights at the 155th-pound (approximately 70kg) weight class. However, to compete in bantamweight, she must endure a brutal cut of approximately 16kg (35 pounds).

The process was so harsh that Harrison had to allow long recovery periods between fights to restore her body. Even when she defeated Juliana Pena to become champion last June, the extreme pain made her consider giving up.

Religion was the driving force that kept the exhausted Harrison going. In an interview with media outlets, Harrison said, "Honestly, in those moments, I rely on my faith. If you entrust everything to the process, God is with you," adding, "There are things in this world that only God can do, and making 135 pounds is one of them."

The outlet noted, "At weigh-in events, Harrison's face becomes extremely gaunt and her muscles wither. However, after passing the weigh-in, consuming electrolytes and carbohydrates causes her weight to rapidly increase within just a few hours. Harrison described the moment of resuming nutrition as 'the greatest ecstasy.'"

Harrison recalled, "It is truly crazy. In a state of depleted fluids and energy, I couldn't sleep a wink the night before weigh-in," adding, "Finally eating and drinking again, followed by a deep nap, is the best."

Harrison will compete in the co-main event of UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in New York, USA, on the 15th at 12:00 p.m. (Korean time), facing her first title defense. Her opponent is Amanda Nunes, a former teammate from American Top Team (ATT) and a former two-division champion.

Harrison, who has set her sights on Nunes as the target to complete her legacy, surpassing their past team relationship, stated, "The moment to fulfill all my dreams is right around the corner," reaffirming her determination.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original