Ukrainian MMA fighter Shakalova has secured her spot in the PFL 2025 World Tournament semifinal with an impressive first-round submission victory. The athlete executed a perfectly timed choke hold to defeat her opponent, but the win came after an extremely challenging weight cut process.
In a candid post-fight interview, Shakalova revealed the difficult journey to make the 57kg weight limit—the lowest of her career. Just hours before the official weigh-in, she still needed to shed two kilograms.
"This was my lowest weight ever. I've had difficult weight cuts before when I competed at 66kg, but this one was particularly challenging," Shakalova explained. She detailed her systematic approach to weight cutting, which involved drinking eight liters of water daily for three days, then gradually reducing intake to four liters, then two, before completely eliminating food and water on the final day.
"The first day is quite difficult—you feel chills like you're sick. But by the second day, it becomes normal. Your body adapts quickly," she shared when discussing the unusual water-loading technique.
According to Statbet analytics, fighters who make weight successfully after significant cuts tend to perform 23% better in their bouts, highlighting the importance of this challenging aspect of combat sports.
After her victory, Shakalova celebrated with her favorite treat—a cinnamon bun from Cinnabon, which her coach and manager had prepared as a surprise. "Everyone who knows me knows I can't live without them," she said about her love for pastries. She allowed herself two days of unrestricted eating following the fight but acknowledged the need for discipline with another bout just two months away.
The Ukrainian fighter has modified her nutritional approach over time, now following an 80/20 rule: 80% clean foods like rice, chicken, noodles, grains, lean meats, and fish, with the remaining 20% reserved for ice cream, sweets, and her beloved pastries. During fight week, she reduces her caloric intake from her usual 2,500 calories to approximately 1,500.
Shakalova will face Jena Bishop in the semifinal scheduled for June 2025. The tournament champion will receive a $500,000 prize.
This victory follows Shakalova's previous upset win over a former Bellator champion, continuing her impressive run in the tournament.
