Carlos Prates
Can you imagine losing nine pounds in just two hours? Brazilian MMA fighter Carlos Prates did exactly that. A viral video captured his extreme physical transformation before his spectacular knockout victory over Leon Edwards last November. Now, as he prepares to face Jack Della Maddalena at the RAC Arena in Perth, the shocking footage has resurfaced online. Millions are watching this agonizing process, sparking deep concerns about the extreme demands of combat sports.
What Exactly Is a Weight Cut?
Many fans think fighters simply follow a strict diet to lose weight. In reality, a weight cut is a massive, carefully planned dehydration process. The athlete drops water weight to hit the exact limit of their division at the official scale. For instance, a fighter walking around at eighty kilograms will drastically reduce their body mass to qualify for a lower weight class. Then, they attempt a rapid rehydration process to regain size and explosive power before stepping inside the octagon.
The Sauna Suit and Extreme Sweating
In the viral footage shared by @tomasellostudios, Prates wears a heavy plastic sauna suit. This special gear traps body heat and completely stops sweat from evaporating, causing his core temperature to spike. The Brazilian throws light shadow punches as water literally pours from his clothes. He is not burning fat. Instead, he is draining vital fluids from his muscles to beat the scale. His dedicated team carefully monitors every single movement to prevent an emergency.
The Medical Dangers of Rapid Dehydration
This extreme method carries massive biological risks. Sports medicine experts warn that severe dehydration destroys stamina and ruins electrolyte balances. Recent studies show that 39 percent of MMA fighters step into the cage while still significantly dehydrated. This creates a critical danger for brain injuries, kidney failure, and cardiovascular stress. Prates won his previous fight with incredible power, but the hidden physical cost of these weight cuts remains a fierce debate. Human health must always come first.
