Making weight is a dark art. For most of us, losing five pounds is a victory that deserves a cheat meal. For two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, it’s a terrifying dance with physiological limits that has left fans gasping at her "before and after" photos.
When Kayla signed with the UFC, the MMA world collectively held its breath. Why? Because the woman won two Olympic golds at 172 pounds ($78$ kg) and spent her entire PFL career dominating at 155 pounds. The UFC doesn't have a 155-pound division for women. It barely has a 145. To be a UFC champion, Kayla had to hit 135.
The Transformation: PFL Powerhouse to UFC Bantamweight
The Kayla Harrison before and after weigh in images tell a story of extreme discipline. In her PFL days, Kayla was a tank. She looked like she could bench press a sedan. Her muscles were full, her face was round, and she radiated a sort of indestructible energy. Fast forward to the UFC 300 weigh-ins against Holly Holm, and then again at UFC 316 against Julianna Peña, and the change is jarring.
Her face during the "before" (at the scale) is often sunken. Her skin looks paper-thin, stretched tight over her cheekbones. Honestly, it’s a little scary.
Breaking Down the Numbers
- Judo Olympic Weight: 172 lbs ($78$ kg)
- PFL Lightweight Weight: 155 lbs
- UFC Bantamweight Limit: 135 lbs (136 lbs for non-title)
- Walking Weight: Roughly 160-165 lbs
She basically had to shed 20 to 30 pounds of mass and water to make the bantamweight limit. That’s not just "dieting." That’s a total body reconstruction.
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How She Actually Survives the Cut
You've probably seen the videos. The sauna suits. The salt baths. The shivering. Kayla has been vocal about how much this sucks. She mentioned in interviews that she walks six miles a day on top of her two training sessions just to keep her metabolism in a furnace-like state.
During the camp for UFC 316, she was eating almost nothing but meals prepared by her personal chef. We’re talking extreme caloric restriction. But the real "magic" (if you can call it that) happens in the final 48 hours. This is the "after" that most people don't see—the rehydration.
The Rehydration Phase
After she steps off the scale at 135, the clock starts. She has about 24 to 36 hours to put as much of that weight back on as possible.
- IV Fluids (if permitted/monitored): Rapidly replacing electrolytes.
- Simple Sugars: To replenish glycogen stores in the muscles.
- Slow Feeding: You can't just eat a pizza immediately; your stomach will rebel.
By the time she steps into the Octagon, she probably weighs close to 150 or 155 pounds again. That’s why she looks like a giant compared to her opponents. She’s essentially a lightweight fighting bantamweights.
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The Risks: When the Body Fights Back
It’s not all glory. Kayla revealed that a week before her fight with Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307, she was hospitalized. She was "peeing blood." Her body was literally screaming at her to stop. This is the part the "before and after" photos don't show. You see the abs, but you don't see the kidney stress or the hormonal havoc.
Women, in particular, face a tougher road with weight cutting. Hormonal cycles and water retention make the scale move much less predictably than it does for men. Kayla is 34 now. The older you get, the more your body hates this process.
Why Does She Do It?
Basically, because it’s the only way to the belt.
"I don't believe in cutting weight. I don't think it sends the right message... but this is the weight class available to me." — Kayla Harrison.
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What This Means for Her Future
There is a lot of talk about a "super-fight" with Amanda Nunes. Nunes is the GOAT of women's MMA, and she famously fought at 135 and 145. Many experts believe that for Kayla to stay healthy, the UFC might need to reopen the 145-pound (featherweight) division.
If she stays at 135, her career might be shorter than we want. You can only "die" on the scale so many times before it takes a permanent toll on your chin and your organs.
Actionable Insights for MMA Fans:
If you are looking at Kayla’s transformation and thinking about your own fitness, remember: this is not a weight loss plan. Pro fighters are under the supervision of elite nutritionists and doctors.
- Don't mimic water cuts: Dehydrating yourself to lose "weight" is incredibly dangerous for your heart and brain.
- Focus on Body Composition: Kayla's "before" (pre-fight) look is achieved by dropping body fat months in advance, not just sweating it out.
- Watch the Scale at Ceremonials: If you want to see the real "after," look at the ceremonial weigh-ins, not the early morning official ones. By the evening, she’s already halfway back to her walking weight.
Keep an eye on the news for her next fight announcement. If it’s at 135 again, pay close attention to her movement in the first round; that’s the best indicator of whether the cut was "clean" or a disaster.