Joe Rogan, joined by Donald Trump on The Joe Rogan Experience, shared insights into the dangerous practice of extreme weight-cutting in combat sports. Rogan explained how fighters who dehydrate themselves to meet weigh-in requirements face serious health risks, especially concerning brain health, due to limited recovery time before entering the ring.
“When guys dehydrate themselves to lose weight to make weight, their brain is the last thing that gets rehydrated,” Rogan explained, emphasizing how critical it is for fighters to have enough time for safe rehydration. This intense dehydration can leave the brain vulnerable to injury, as the brain requires considerable time to rehydrate fully—a challenge many fighters face with limited recovery time.
“It’s a very difficult thing to completely rehydrate your brain quickly,”
he continued, pointing out the risks involved when fighters are pressured to lose weight quickly. Rogan emphasized the need for proper recovery time, noting that the current 24-hour weigh-in window, while helpful, may still fall short.
Rogan highlighted an example from boxing to underscore the dangers of dehydration:
“When Boom Boom Mancini had a fight with Duk Koo Kim and killed him in the ring,”
adding that this incident tragically illustrated the severe consequences of inadequate recovery.
The UFC and other combat sports organizations have implemented a 24-hour weigh-in rule allowing fighters an extra day to rehydrate and regain some strength. Historically, however, fighters weighed in on the day of the fight, leaving even less recovery time and exacerbating health risks. Rogan remarked, “Historically, weigh-ins used to be on the same day as the fight, which meant fighters faced extreme physical strain with even less time to recover.” Although this rule change has improved safety, Rogan argued that the practice of severe weight-cutting remains dangerous.
In addition to hydration, Rogan also referenced the high impact on fighters’ physical health, noting that practices like sauna sessions and severe water restriction can lead to electrolyte imbalances and potentially impaired cognitive function in the ring.
“This is why fighter safety is something we need to keep addressing,” Rogan emphasized.
Trump, known for his interest in sports and athlete performance, agreed, adding that it’s crucial for such practices to be examined carefully. Rogan, a longtime advocate for fighter safety, stressed that the UFC and other organizations should continue updating their protocols, considering the risks and educating fighters on safe practices.
This episode of The Joe Rogan Experience was more than just an interview; it was a timely reminder of the cost fighters pay to compete at peak levels. Rogan’s perspective on weight-cutting highlights the need for a health-focused approach to athlete preparation, in line with MiddleEasy.com’s mission to promote awareness around issues affecting athlete safety and performance.
Watch the full episode here:
Read more: 15 Worst and Most Dangerous Weight Cuts In UFC History