There's an explanation for Luana Santos' recent weight loss.
The Brazilian fighter weighed in at 139 pounds, three pounds over the bantamweight limit, when she faced Stephanie Egger last December. In an interview with MMA Fighting, she attributed her withdrawal to an autoimmune disease.
Santos, who returns to the cage next Saturday in a 125-pound bout against Maria Agapova at UFC Denver, said in an interview with MMA Fighting that she was diagnosed with a thyroid condition called Hashimoto's disease during a trip to Brazil last year, a few months after her successful UFC debut, and that she initially thought it was no big deal.
“I didn't know what it was or if it would affect me in any way, so I didn't really think much of it,” Santos said. “I thought it was no big deal, and then the weight kept going up and up. In late November, I got a call from my manager saying I had a fight booked, and I told him I couldn't make 125 pounds, but I could fight at 135 if my opponent was okay with it. [Egger] I agreed and it took me 3 weeks to make 135. I weighed 163 pounds at the time.
“I knew it would be tough, but I could manage it. It was the craziest three weeks of my life. I didn't lose the weight in the end, but I thought that was due to other factors. I was so tired from the fight and my hair was falling out, but I didn't think it was due to my thyroid problems.”
Santos beat Egger and returned to Brazil in January for further tests, during which doctors again found thyroid problems. Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disease that can cause weight gain, depression, fatigue, pain and, as Santos noticed, hair loss.
“My doctor told me that my thyroid was not functioning properly and that I would gain weight again,” Santos said. “My thyroid levels were way above normal and I was deficient in vitamins, so I had to start taking medication to control my thyroid. There is no cure and I have to take these medications for the rest of my life. I gained weight to 168 pounds, 42 pounds over my weight class.”
Santos said UFC is aware of her condition, which is why she was offered the fight in Denver, where she will have plenty of time to prepare and get back up to 125 pounds. The 24-year-old Brazilian said she currently weighs in at 136 pounds, which is the right weight for her at this point in camp.
“My thyroid is fine now, but I still have to continue taking medication and watch what I eat,” Santos said. “My health is better and I have more energy. Before, I didn't feel like training, I just wanted to lie in bed and do nothing. I was nervous at first, especially since it was something new. I didn't know if the medication would help, but the doctor explained everything to me and I felt at ease.”
