Video: UFC Fighter Julija Stoliarenko Faints Twice During Weigh-Ins

Extreme weight cutting is undeniably one of the most dangerous aspects of MMA. At the weigh-ins for UFC Vegas 22, UFC bantamweight Julija Stoliarenko collapsed on the scale two times in a scary scene.

Watch the entire incident in the video below, from MMA Junkie.

One Stoliarenko’s first attempt, she briefly stood on the scale before stumbling back and collapsing to the ground. Officials quickly attended to Stoliarenko, but just moments later, the fighter took the scale again. And although Stoliarenko did hit the bantamweight mark at 135.5 pounds, she once again collapsed to the ground, seemingly unable to support her own weight.

A one-fight UFC veteran, Stoliarenko was scheduled to face Julia Avila at UFC Vegas 22. Given Stoliarenko’s obvious struggle with the weight cut and potential health complications, it’s no surprise that her bout with Avila was quickly canceled.

If there is a silver lining here, it’s that more attention will be paid to the dangers of rapid extreme weight cutting. The practice is widespread in many combat sports, but seems to be taken to the most dangerous extremes in professional MMA.

UFC Vegas 22 takes place on Saturday, March 20 and features a main event between middleweights Kevin Holland and Derek Brunson.

Ben Coate

Ben has been involved with grappling, whether through wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, essentially his entire life. After wrestling throughout his childhood, Ben found Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a young adult and quickly fell in love. He has been training for over ten years and holds the rank of black belt, and remains involved in both the MMA and BJJ scene. Ben has been writing about combat sports since 2017. He has interviewed and profiled some of MMA's biggest stars, including multiple UFC champions.

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