“I Leave a Piece of Myself”: Chris Weidman, Dustin Poirier, and Jorge Masvidal Speak on the True Cost of Fighting
Chris Weidman, Dustin Poirier, and Jorge Masvidal reveal the long-term effects of being an MMA fighter and the damage you take.
MMA is often praised for its raw athleticism and high-stakes drama, but the physical toll on its combatants remains a sobering reality. Following a scary scene where bantamweight Raoni Barcelos was stretchered out after a brutal knockout loss to Raul Rosas Jr., UFC legends Chris Weidman, Dustin Poirier, and Jorge Masvidal opened up about the severe sacrifices required inside the Octagon.
Speaking on the Deep Waters show, the three veteran fighters reflected on the long-term health risks associated with a career in combat sports.
Former middleweight champion Chris Weidman laid bare the extreme mindset fighters must adopt before stepping through the cage doors:
"It's almost like you have to be ready to die, you have to be willing to give everything you possibly have which is kind of scary when you think about it."
Long-Term Effects and the Price of Sacrifice
Weidman, who holds a 16-8-0 professional record with 11 victories coming by knockout or submission, knows the physical cost of fighting as well as anyone after enduring career-altering injuries inside the Octagon. Joining him in the discussion, former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier echoed those sentiments.
Poirier boasts an iconic 30-9-0 (1 NC) professional record with 15 knockout victories, having stood toe-to-toe with the sport's absolute best over a 15-year career. Reflecting on the cumulative damage, Poirier offered a poignant warning:
“When I was fighting and I would say, ‘I leave a piece of myself in there every time,’ I meant it. It might not happen the night of, but 15 years, 20 years later, you might be showing effects of a 20-year career.”
Masvidal, boasting a 35-17-0 record with 16 knockouts including the fastest finish in UFC history, concurred on the dangerous nature of the sport. The trio's discussion serves as a stark reminder that while fans celebrate highlight-reel victories, fighters carry the physical toll long after the arena lights dim.
