The first time I fought Ian McCall, I cut carbs completely out of my diet all through training camp. I was afraid I wasn't going to make weight, that I'd get on the scale, and it would be all, 'He weighs 128,' and the people would throw cabbage at me. I basically cut all carbs on the diet, just eat chicken and greens all the time.

In this quote, Demetrious Johnson reflects on a specific dietary decision he made during his training for his fight against Ian McCall. He explains that he cut carbs completely from his diet in an attempt to manage his weight, as he was concerned about making weight for the fight. Johnson’s fear of stepping on the scale and being overweight led him to restrict his food intake to chicken and greens, focusing on lean protein and vegetables to avoid the risk of excess weight.

Johnson’s decision to cut carbs and stick to a strict, limited diet illustrates the pressure that athletes, particularly in weight-class-based sports like mixed martial arts, feel to meet strict weight limits. The mention of being afraid that people would throw cabbage at him humorously highlights his fear of public embarrassment if he didn’t make the required weight. His focus on diet during training was driven by the need to meet professional standards, even if it meant sacrificing the variety or enjoyment of his meals.

The origin of the quote likely stems from Johnson’s personal experiences of weight cutting, which is a common practice in combat sports. Fighters like Johnson often have to make significant adjustments to their nutrition leading up to a fight in order to compete in their designated weight class. His use of a restrictive diet reflects the extremes some athletes go to in order to meet these weight requirements, even though this can lead to physical and mental strain.

Ultimately, Johnson’s quote illustrates the extremes athletes sometimes take when trying to control their body weight for competitions. While his method of eliminating carbs may not be sustainable long-term, it shows the pressures that come with weight management in professional sports. It also highlights the role that dietary choices play in the balance between performance and health in high-level athletic training.