Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star and ADCC Bronze Medalist Jasmine Rocha has been forced to withdraw from her scheduled bout at UFC FPI 11 after being hospitalized with ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Rocha, daughter of renowned BJJ practitioner Vagner Rocha, revealed the news through her social media account, explaining the serious nature of her medical emergency.
“I was just 7 pounds from weight and still trying to push through nonstop puking and stomach issues I’d been dealing with all week,” Rocha shared. “I kept brushing it off, thinking it was just some bad acid reflux or heartburn. But in reality, my body was warning me.”
The grappling specialist explained that her weight cutting process exacerbated her condition, leading to ketoacidosis – a dangerous metabolic state where the blood becomes abnormally acidic. While this condition typically affects individuals with diabetes, it can occur in non-diabetic people under extreme physical stress and depletion.
“If I hadn’t caught it when I did, it could’ve led to a coma… or worse,” Rocha stated soberly.
Medical professionals intervened just in time, likely preventing more severe complications. Ketoacidosis requires immediate medical attention and can be fatal if left untreated.
“This wasn’t about toughness — it was about survival,” she added.
Rocha has been making waves in the combat sports world, recently garnering attention for her outspoken views on BJJ training culture and innovative submission techniques. She had been preparing for what would have been a significant opportunity on the UFC platform.
Her opponent, Alex Enriquez, has reportedly received a replacement competitor for the event. Rocha apologized to Enriquez for the last-minute change.
“Thank you to my team for being so supportive and helping me make a tough but right decision,” Rocha concluded in her statement, indicating plans to recover and return to competition when healthy.
This highlights the physical dangers athletes face during weight cutting processes, a controversial aspect of combat sports that continues to raise safety concerns among medical professionals and sports regulatory bodies.
