Cureus. 2025 Jan 21;17(1):e77785. doi: 10.7759/cureus.77785. eCollection 2025 Jan.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of rapid weight regain on the fight outcomes in professional mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes competing in Bellator.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty fighters (16 male and four female fighters) were included in the analysis. Official weigh-in and fight-night weights were recorded, and percentage weight regain was calculated. Fighters were divided into groups based on their percentage weight regain (<10% vs. ≥10%). Descriptive statistics were calculated, and independent t-tests and logistic regression were employed.
RESULTS: The results indicated that while fighters significantly regained weight between weigh-ins and fight-night, this weight gain did not significantly (p ≥ 0.05) predict fight outcomes.
CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that weight regain may not provide a competitive advantage in Bellator MMA athletes.
PMID:39981492 | PMC:PMC11842001 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.77785
