featherweight champion PFL, Cris Cyborg criticized the coaching team Daiane SilvaBrazilian fighter from Bellatorafter she suffered complications during the weight-cutting process and fell into a coma in London.
Also known as “Leidy Dai”, the woman from Paraná accepted a fight two weeks in advance and would make her Bellator debut. As it was a category below what she is used to fighting in, the athlete needed to lose 10 kg.
Daiane’s fight would take place on September 14th, against Eman Almudhaf, in the featherweight division — up to 66.2 kg; She weighed around 76 kg when she was called up and used to fight at lightweight — up to 70.2 kg.
There was an agreement with the organization for the fight to be at catchweight, but according to Cris Cyborg, the team from Paraná did not fulfill the agreement.
“Very sad. Leidy Dai had a difficult cut. When you have a difficult cut, those responsible are your coaches. I think you have to have a healthy cut and make an agreement with the event – and I know they did –, but the corner [da lutadora] didn’t follow the rules,” she said.
Daiane is part of the CM System team, led by Cristiano Marcello, who was contacted by the UmDois Esportes report, but did not comment.
According to reports from people close to her, the team left London two days after the Bellator event that the Paraná native was going to fight, leaving her admitted to the hospital. Daiane is being closely monitored by a friend, who flew to England with the support of Bellator.
“I hope she recovers quickly. I know she is in a bad situation, but we pray and support her so that she returns home soon”, added the PFL champion.
Fighter had complications with weight cut
After accepting the Bellator fight just 15 days in advance, Daiane entered an intense routine of training and weight cutting; she needed to lose about 10 kg by weigh-in day.
One of the weight-cutting techniques is dehydration, something common among fighters, but the Brazilian ended up feeling ill during this process, already in London, where the event took place.
With signs of dehydration, the athlete was placed in an induced coma upon arriving at the hospital after being diagnosed with severe kidney failure. The woman from Paraná had to undergo dialysis sessions.
Hospitalized for more than a month, the fighter began to improve and ended dialysis. Hospital costs are being paid by Bellator.
Cris Cyborg launched Leidy Dai in MMA
Daiane Silva was launched into the world of MMA by Nação Cyborg, in 2021, with a split decision victory over Carol Kerr. The event also spoke about the situation in Paraná.
“The Cyborg Nation Team wishes to express its solidarity with CM System MMA team athlete Daiane ‘Leidy Dai’, who had complications during her weight cut and, since then, has been hospitalized in a serious condition in the English capital. We, at the Cyborg Nation event, are committed to going to great lengths to identify and hold accountable those responsible for allowing this to happen,” said a statement made on Instagram, but now deleted.
The Brazilian’s record has three fights, all in the lightweight category, and no defeats. The victories were by points, submission and knockout.
The Bellator fight in September would be his debut not only with the organization, but also internationally. The fight was canceled after she failed the weight cut.