Should the Hydration Clause Be Banned Immediately Before Something Bad Happens?
The debate around hydration clauses in combat sports is heating up quicker than any title fight. These clauses are written into contracts to limit how much weight a fighter can put back on after the official weigh-in. On paper, promoters claim they prevent unfair size advantages. In reality, many believe they interfere with natural recovery and could create a crisis for fighter safety if something is not changed soon.
Athletes already push their bodies to extremes during weight cuts, draining water to reach a lighter division for competitive benefits. Normally, fighters use the gap between the weigh-in and fight night to rehydrate and restore their bodies. But hydration clauses restrict this process, leaving boxers and MMA fighters walking into the ring not fully recovered, still dehydrated, and far more vulnerable to serious damage.
SHOP: Kickboxing Equipment
Rising Warnings From Fighters and Experts
Weight cutting is known to affect the brain more than any other organ. When dehydration occurs, the brain shrinks slightly away from the skull, meaning that every punch or elbow could cause significantly more trauma. Doctors have repeatedly warned that restricting rehydration increases the likelihood of concussions, brain bleeds and long-term neurological harm.
Even fighters have spoken out against the increasing use of such clauses. The founder of Sidekick Boxing, Daniel Knight summed up the frustration perfectly when he said, “it’s not a hydration clause, its a hydration prevention!” His statement reflects a widespread belief that these rules are not about fairness but control, and that they push athletes beyond safe physical limits.
Some argue that better weight management throughout training would eliminate the need for drastic cuts. Others believe that combat sports should follow organizations like ONE Championship, which tests hydration instead of restricting it. But regardless of the proposed solution, many agree that leaving fighters dehydrated on fight night is a disaster waiting to happen.
The sport has already seen tragic consequences from weight-cutting incidents over the years. Continuing with hydration clauses, without fully understanding all the risks, could push combat sports toward another avoidable tragedy. The question now is whether decision-makers will act before something terrible forces their hand.
READ MORE: Daniel Dubois withdraws from his world title eliminator against Frank Sanchez
Recent posts
