13 March 24
Eben van Tonder

UFC Meets Meat Science

My work in meat science started in 2008 when I created a bacon brand. Initially, my goal was to understand my trade. Over the past 16 years, my work changed from purely a meat scientist to incorporating diet, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. There is no single aspect of my work that does not find direct application in these areas. I have always relied on practical and application-based science. I was approached by a young lady about a collaboration with an online betting company and UFC which immediately appealed to me. I have been toying with the idea of a direct and targeted application of my work in the area of high-intensity sports for some time now.

The initial idea came to me through my work on nitrates and nitrites and their physiological importance to the human body. In meat science, my interest in nitrites came from their role in cured meat. What started as a curiosity became a major part of my life, and I debunked the notion that nitrites are bad for humans. I learned that the contrary is true. Nitrites are essential for human health. They are precursors to nitric oxide, being members of the reactive nitrogen species. They are like the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in Christianity in that where you have the one, you will always have all three. I got to know the Texan medical doctor, Dr. Nathan Bryan and through his work discovered that bacon, far from being bad for human health, is, in reality, a superfood!

The spotlight on the physiologically important molecule of Nitric Oxide was initially elucidated by Dr Ferid Murad, along with his colleagues Dr Robert F. Furchgott and Dr Louis J. Ignarro, who in 1989 were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work on it. Their groundbreaking work unveiled nitric oxide as a critical signalling molecule in the cardiovascular system, revolutionizing our approach to cardiovascular health. Their Nobel citation highlighted their discoveries concerning “nitric oxide as a signalling molecule in the cardiovascular system,” a revelation that laid the groundwork for innovative treatments aimed at controlling blood pressure and enhancing blood flow through vessel dilation.

By understanding the process of meat curing, I managed to understand the crucial role it plays in human physiology and the discussion becomes critical in the environment of healthy living and top athletes, particularly in fighting sports. I have done Judo since I was 6 years old, have a first dan and achieved several medals in the South African National Championships over the years. Knowing the importance of nitric oxide in recovery and physical exertion, elements all present in fighting sports, made me wonder if I should not aim my work directly towards the application of what I learn in meat science to sport. So many sports drinks and performance-enhancing supplements are loaded with fillers and sold at ridiculous prices, and I know where the products come from – many from the animal carcass. I also know that most are some of the cheapest elements and I was immediately interested in the UFC link. Meat science was meeting sport!

How Meat Science Meets UFC, the Ultimate in Full-Contact Fighting

Let me show you a bit more of nitric oxide and you too will see how bacon becomes directly related to sport! Dr. Nathan Bryan is a protégé of Dr. Ferid Murad and significantly advanced the foundational knowledge established by his mentor and colleagues. Training under the guidance of a Nobel Laureate, Dr. Bryan was uniquely positioned to delve deeper into the multifaceted roles of nitric oxide within the human body. His career has been marked by a fervent pursuit to expand our understanding of NO, exploring its impact far beyond just cardiovascular health.

Dr Nathan Bryan’s research into nitric oxide (NO) transcends the traditional bounds of cardiovascular and immune system health, reaching into the demanding world of high-impact athletes, such as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters and other top-level competitors. His work on the practical applications of nitric oxide through nutrition and supplementation has unveiled significant benefits for athletes, particularly in areas critical to their performance and recovery.

Athletes, especially those engaged in high-intensity sports are constantly seeking ways to enhance their recovery from the rigorous demands of training and competition. The physical toll of intense workouts, fights, and the inevitable injuries that accompany high-level athletic endeavours necessitates a comprehensive approach to recovery. UFC emerged as the primary arena for me to put my theories to the test and to apply the work of scientists like Dr Bryan.

The application of meat science to sports was obvious. Nitric oxide which first showed me this powerful link plays a pivotal role in several physiological processes vital to athletes, including blood flow regulation, oxygen delivery, nutrient transport, and muscle recovery. By enhancing the body’s natural production of NO through specific dietary choices and supplementation, athletes can experience improved blood flow. This, in turn, facilitates more efficient delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients to stressed or injured tissues, accelerating the recovery process. Improved blood flow also helps in the removal of metabolic waste products, which can reduce muscle soreness and decrease recovery time between intense training sessions and competitions.

Dr. Bryan’s work broadened the scope of application for me in that I came to understand that lifestyle interventions can boost nitric oxide levels which introduced me to a holistic approach to athlete health and performance enhancement. Through dietary strategies that increase NO production, such as the consumption of nitrate-rich vegetables (e.g., beets, spinach, and arugula) and cured products like bacon and ham and supplementation with NO-boosting compounds, athletes can support their body’s recovery processes naturally and effectively. This nutritional strategy not only aids in the immediate recovery from intense physical exertion but also contributes to the long-term management and prevention of chronic conditions that can impede athletic performance, such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, and diabetes.

I realised that nitric oxide is only one of a myriad of other lifestyle and dietary benefits that I became well versed in through my work in meat science and that my work has much to offer to the sport.

UFC as a Prime Example of High-Impact Sport

UFC offered a unique opportunity to apply what I’ve learned over many years and show that peak performance is possible, not through expensive supplements but by applying the common sense of meat science. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), established in 1993 by Art Davie, Rorion Gracie, and their associates, exemplifies the zenith of high-impact sport, intertwining diverse martial arts disciplines into a singular, unparalleled competition. Rorion Gracie, bringing his profound Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) training—a martial art refined by the Gracie family from its Judo and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu roots—aimed to demonstrate BJJ’s superiority in real combat. The success of Royce Gracie, Rorion’s brother, in the inaugural UFC tournament, winning against opponents of various fighting backgrounds, solidified BJJ’s efficacy and UFC’s foundational premise: to determine the most effective martial art in situations resembling real combat.

Over the years, UFC has introduced the world to fighters of legendary status like Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Amanda Nunes, whose names have become synonymous with the sport itself. Moreover, the UFC has seen athletes from other high-contact disciplines step into the octagon, with varying degrees of success, further testament to MMA’s demanding and inclusive nature. It is the ideal environment to showcase the power of meat science!

The Cost Factor

I have been struck by the cost of things like collagen and protein powders. In reality, these raw materials are available in copious amounts from the local butcher, but pharmaceuticals and health shops choose to sell them at ridiculously inflated prices. In most instances, my investigation revealed that these supplements are sold loaded with fillers to increase the revenue generated from it while the “real deal” is available from the local butchery at a fraction of the cost. I intend to expose these charlatans!

Conclusion

The use of UFC as a prime application of my work is natural and one I like. This rigorous and all-encompassing fighting platform perfectly aligns with the principles of meat science, particularly regarding the role of nutrition in athlete performance and recovery. I am a pragmatic food scientist with nearly two decades of research and study, who navigates through the intertwined realms of food science and athletic performance with unmatched expertise. My narrative, devoid of commercial bias, underscores the profound impact of meat science on athletic recovery and performance, offering a fact-based exploration into optimal nutrition. I did not arrive at my conclusions because someone paid me. I came to my convictions through the rigour of science!

Learning from and interacting with people like Dr Nathan Bryan, who with him brings groundbreaking discoveries by Nobel Laureates such as Dr Ferid Murad, Dr Robert F. Furchgott, and Dr Louis J. Ignarro regarding nitric oxide, serves as a cornerstone for understanding the nuanced relationship between nutrition and peak athletic performance. The UFC’s high-stakes environment underscores the critical role of scientifically grounded nutrition strategies, emphasizing how a diet rich in meats and complemented by specific plant-based foods can propel athletes to superior recovery and performance levels. My insightful journey, drawing from esteemed research and practical applications, showcases the undeniable truth: optimal athletic performance is intricately linked to the principles of meat science, a field that continues to provide vital insights into health and human potential.