The MMA community is well-accustomed to the brutal realities of weight cuts that fighters endure in preparation for their bouts. However, a recent and alarming update regarding a promising MMA star has sent shockwaves through the fan base. Reports reveal that 29-year-old Daiane Silva has fallen into a coma following complications from a severe weight-cutting regimen.
According to information from her former organization, led by Cris Cyborg, the 29-year-old fighter had previously competed in the lightweight division. Additionally, the promotion publicly shared updates about Silvaโs health. As such, they even confirm that Daiane Silva remains in a coma due to a severe weight cut.
๐๐ Thoughts and prayers are with ๐ง๐ท Daiane โLeidy Daiโ Silva, a 29-year-old fighter still in a coma in London after a failed weight cut for her Bellator/PFL debut on September 14.
Silva, undefeated at 3-0, has competed at 155lbs, even capturing lightweight gold in Brazil. Thisโฆ pic.twitter.com/VvrbV5MwXa
โ Women’s MMA Rankings (@WMMARankings) October 19, 2024
It was the undefeated fighterโs first attempt to compete in the featherweight category. Daiana Silva was scheduled to face Eman Almudhaf at the Bellator Champions Series event. Her promotional debut fight was held at the OVO Arena Wembley in London on September 14. However, the bout was called off after Silva could not meet the featherweight limit.
Can confirm she was in a coma and is still there, although her current status is unknown. Everything has been eerily quiet as I’ve been tracking this story since it happenedโฆ It’s been kept under wraps because PFL and employees have been explicitly told not to talk about it. https://t.co/kuCy2ry2Oi
โ Drake Riggs (@DrakeRiggs_) October 19, 2024
Over the years, the fighting community has observed the harsh realities of this sport, where competitors face significant challenges. Many athletes successfully navigate the difficult weight-cutting phase, while others succumb to its pressures. This was the case for the rising Brazilian MMA star Daiane Silva, as the negative effects of that rigorous weight-cut process befell her.
Fight fans were baffled by Daiane Silvaโs health update
The Professional Fighters League (PFL), which recently took over the Bellator brand, has yet to provide any official comments regarding the devastating news that has surfaced. For many fans of the sport, an Instagram post served as the initial revelation of this alarming development. As such, it left them in shock with the unexpected information.
The silence from the PFL only adds to the uncertainty surrounding the situation, heightening the concern among the fight community. Many prominent sports journalists criticized the Professional Fighters League (PFL). As such, they were unhappy about the part where this important information was hidden for over a month. Check out some reactions below.
A PFL/Bellator fighter is apparently hospitalized in a coma. Surprised this has been kept under wraps for over a month. https://t.co/TQqZNzcCJo
โ caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) October 19, 2024
WHAT?! This is the first I am hearing of this! https://t.co/zJFWpo1pOb
โ Amy Kaplan (@PhotoAmy33) October 19, 2024
Weigh cuts should not be a thing. Make them fight at their natural weight
โ pawellwitt (@pawellwitt) October 19, 2024
How has this been sweeper under the rug for a month
โ Chris reider (@chrisreider19) October 19, 2024
Incredibly scary https://t.co/Sqd5Yoy0lN
โ Tracie (@Tloves2eat) October 19, 2024
Praying for your recovery. https://t.co/hjSpfrvn5G
โ Tyler (@BreadBetsMMA) October 19, 2024
How the hell was this kept under wraps for this long? https://t.co/3Ua2j1Mnwj
โ Nick (@Unquietsilver11) October 20, 2024
This is very sad. I hope she makes it. Weight cuts are the scariest part of mma and it needs to change. https://t.co/krdqSDY21e
โ Pau (@BrickWallMagic) October 20, 2024
Can we fuck this weight cutting bollocks off. All it does is harm fighters during it, lead to long lasting health problems & lead to them fighting with less fluid around their brain, meaning a much higher chance of severe TBI
Get it fucked off. It’s stupid in every single aspect https://t.co/aCHGw14c2v
โ UsykBastardโฝ๏ธ (@RyanThomasMMA) October 19, 2024
It’s shocking this hasn’t happened before, especially in the women’s division. There are fewer weight classes (PFl has 1, 145; UFC has 4, max 145). This is why many of the better known female fighters are 5’6″ and below. This woman is 5’11” โ cutting weight to 145lbs is dangerous https://t.co/MNWrpV37Jp
โ Tฬท ฬทRฬท ฬทOฬท ฬทNฬท (@Chro_maggia) October 20, 2024
The fact that PFL tried to cover this up itโs disgusting https://t.co/2iQvdNDzLA
โ Knuckles ๐ (@knuckles_stan) October 19, 2024
It’s pretty foul that this happened over a month ago, and this is the first public acknowledgment of it. Why hasn’t PFL/Bellator made a statement?
Thoughts and prayers to Daiane Silva and family. https://t.co/e3PzJlaTvQโ Olin aka MMAnomaly๐ (@MMAnomaly) October 19, 2024
disgusting @PFLMMA https://t.co/l11SJn8cCk
โ Valo MMA๐ฎ (@valo_mma) October 19, 2024
This is incredibly sad๐โค๏ธ https://t.co/ZsyBoxUI8j
โ Consensus Score (@ConsensusScore) October 20, 2024
While most fight fans criticized PFL, others expressed support for the 29-year-old Brazilian fighter. Additionally, after Daiane Silvaโs weight-cut ordeal, many netizens called for changes to the weight-cut process.
