“Didn’t Think It Was Possible for a Dagestani to Cry” – Islam Makhachev Breaks Down as Fans Witness Josh Emmett “Hurting” Before UFC 284

“Step on the scale or step out of the game.” That’s the motto UFC fighters live by as they push their bodies to the limit to make weight for their fights. The last 24 hours before weigh-in are a true test of endurance and willpower, as fighters undergo a grueling process to shed every last pound. Some consider call it unhealthy, but for these warriors, it’s all part of the fight. Islam Makhachev and Josh Emmett, who will be headlining the main and co-main events of UFC 284 respectively, have faced the music and gone through the wringer to make weight.

But, as fans caught a glimpse of them during the weigh-in, concern filled the air as they appeared to have put themselves through a great deal of suffering. These fighters, however, bite the bullet and endure the pain, because at the end of the day, making weight is just another obstacle they must overcome on their path to victory.

Fans sympathize towards an emotional Islam Makhachev during the weigh-in

Islam Makhachev is ready to step up to the plate for the biggest fight of his career so far. With a title defense on the line and a shared dream with his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov to become the number one pound-for-pound champion in the world, currently held by Alexander Volkanovski; the lightweight champ is leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of glory.

Despite the reputation of Dagestani fighters having a hard time making weight, Makhachev proved the doubters wrong and hit the mark at the weigh-in. The sight of him in tears, a rare moment in the sport, sparked a range of reactions from fans.

Check out how the fans reacted to the teary-eyed Islam Makhachev:

“didn’t think it was possible for a dagestani to cry”

“Must’ve been a tough cut, but he made it”

“That man fighting for his life rn”

“Ya my guy is dying, why wouldn’t he be crying”

“Crying bc he knows he won’t have Khabib in his corner”

Read more: “We Don’t Want Peace”: Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski’s Pre-Fight Chat Draws Mixed Reactions

And just the main-event headliner, the lead of the co-main event, Josh Emmett has gone down the same path, drawing equally concerning reactions from the fans. However, Emmett‘s weight cut for UFC 284 looks far more brutal.

Josh Emmett’s concerning weight-cut alarms the fans

Josh Emmett is on a roll with a five-fight winning streak and he’s not slowing down anytime soon. He’s got his sights set on adding another W to his record as he faces Yair Rodriguez in the co-main event of UFC 284. There’s no denying that Emmett is a top-notch fighter, but his appearance after the weight cut has left fans worried about his health.

Despite cutting weight being a common occurrence in the sport, Emmett‘s appearance has caused many to raise a red flag about the toll it takes on the fighters’ bodies.

Check out how the fans reacted to Emmett’s look after the weight cut:

One fan referenced the stretch of dehydration Josh Emmett must be going through:

Wherein another fan stated how he reminds of the time when Conor McGregor cut extreme weight:

This fan could feel the pain all through:

A shift in this process is required, as suggested by this fan:

And this fan stated what everyone is thinking about:

Islam Makhachev and Josh Emmett may have raised some concerns with their weight-cut struggles, but if they come out on top in their respective fights, that will make it up for it all. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if they will rise to the occasion and deliver a performance that will make their weight-cut woes a distant memory.

Watch this story: Alexander Volkanovski’s Coach Reveals a ‘Depressing’ Incident That Almost Led to the Retirement of “The Great”

The time is almost upon us for UFC 284 and fans should be “on the edge of their seats” for an action-packed night of fights.

Who will you be supporting this Sunday? Let us know in the comments below.