Weight-cutting is not a new concept in combat sports. But fight fans don't often get a behind-the-scenes look at the process—or the effects it can have on the body.
Perhaps that's why a selfie from UFC strawweight Felice Herrig, posted to her Instagram account Thursday, drew a fair amount of attention on social media. Herrig, who faces Kailin Curran Saturday at UFC on Fox 20, appeared dehydrated, almost emaciated, in the photo, which appeared to have been taken less than 24 hours before Friday morning's weigh-ins.
The UFC and other MMA promotions have recently started holding official weigh-ins on the morning before an event, rather than the evening before, which has historically been the more traditional time. Although there is still a ceremonial weigh-in event in the evening, having official weigh-ins take place earlier gives fighters more time to eat and rehydrate before competing.
"[One] more day til weigh ins," Herrig wrote alongside the Instagram photo. "Give me food. Thank you UFC for the newly implemented early weigh ins. It's going to leave so much extra time for fighters to recover."
Just saw that Felice Herrig photo. Jesus... People think PED make this sport dangerous...
— Andrew Lawrence (@TheClownKid) July 21, 2016
A slew of fighters, trainers and others have hailed early weigh-ins as a meaningful step toward curbing the harmful effects of cutting weight, during which fighters shed dozens of pounds or more of water and body weight.
The process can damage organs and, barring proper rehydration, expose fighters to a higher risk of brain injury on fight night.
This bothers me. pic.twitter.com/YjFCEzXges
— RedNiñoTruckrHat (@RednckTruckrHat) July 21, 2016
Thursday's eyebrow-raising photo was not Herrig's first weight-cutting message in advance of UFC on Fox 20. Herrig (10-6) has chronicled her cut for several days on Twitter and Instagram.
Herrig is a well-known fighter dating back to her time on season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter and before, and she enjoys robust followings on social media, where she regularly shares photos and updates with followers.
Feeling: ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) July 17, 2016
This will mark the third UFC fight for the 31-year-old strawweight, who is 1-1 in her previous two efforts.
