Jesús Gallo, the mastermind behind Ilia Topuria's physique: "We could move up to welterweight for another title."

Just one day before Ilia Topuria begins the most complicated process of his entire preparation: cutting weight. This time, he'll face Charles Oliveira in the lightweight division (155 pounds or 70.3 kilos). This marks a change, as the Spanish-Georgian will have to lose fewer pounds than in his previous fights. Even so, the process continues to be a challenge for any athlete. Jesús Gallo , Topuria's physical trainer, spoke to ABC MMA just days before the match.

"As easy as it may seem to go up a category , it's a weight loss, and we're going to suffer . The suffering started on Sunday, when we cut down on salt. On Monday, we cut out carbs and begin loading up on fluids, then lowering them and reaching our desired cut as quickly and easily as possible. It's not easier, but the joy of being able to eat a little more freely without having to worry about doing everything focused on weight loss has been extended. The good thing about this camp is that it has focused on improving every phase of its activity as an athlete every day, without having to worry about whether it's okay to eat one thing or another," he explains to this newspaper regarding the weight loss.

For that final day, when the last few pounds will be shed in a more extreme way, Gallo reveals the process they'll follow. "We'll do a passive sauna and a mummy (wrapping the body in towels so the heat doesn't escape) in combination to keep the body sweating and prolong what's gained in the sauna in a more passive way, where the body is resting because it's lying down," he explains. But moving up a category doesn't just mean greater comfort for losing weight, but also an increase in aspects like punching power .

"Genetically, God gave him that gift. He has a very thick build. His skeletal and muscle mass are much more powerful than normal. Physically, he's a superbly gifted person . But what he has most is his mind. That separates him from other athletes. He has confidence in himself, in his quality, in his gift as a fighter, a competitor... He knows he's going to win. And he knows the chances of the other player having even a hint of his strength are minimal or nonexistent. His muscle mass was much higher than at the previous training camp. That means more power, strength, physical capacity..." Gallo points out.

Regarding the fight, the physical trainer follows the same line as the rest of the team: "I think it's Ilia's time . I know he's at the right moment to continue being a star. There will come a time when he can't do what he's been doing today and it will be someone else's turn, but this is Ilia's time to be the best of the best in this sport," he states. Finally, as the person in charge of physical appearance, there is no more authoritative opinion on whether or not he could move up to welterweight (170 pounds or 77.1 kilos). "We can. It all depends on whether he wants to do it or not. I think yes, it can be done," he concludes.