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It’s a strangely invigorating feeling, being hit in the face or thrown to the floor.
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It’s the feeling of being truly present.
Just take it fromKatyln Chookigan, a mixed martial arts fighter currently competing in the UFC.
Katlyn Chookagian punches Viviane Araujo of Brazil in their women’s flyweight bout during the UFC 262 event.
Katlyn Chookagian punches Viviane Araujo of Brazil in their women’s flyweight bout during the UFC 262 event.
Even so, keeping her brain on fights instead of hair is a top priority for her, too.
“Knowing my hair is up safely helps give me full confidence in the ring.”
A pair ofFrench or Dutch braidsare what she finds to be the most effective style as well.
Helen Maroulis during a gold medal match against Saori Yoshida of Japan.
“Even though this is illegal, it does happen a lot.”
That’s the worst-case scenario as far as wrestling hair goes, Maroulis adds.
That’s why her competition style of choice is “a bunch of intricate braids.”
Hairstyles represent something deeper beyond practicality to many fighters, too.
As boxer and fitness trainerHolly Lawsonpoints out, those braids can denote luck, strength, and more.
“I always joke that once the braid comes in, I’m a different person.
I’m just like, ‘All right, here we go.
It’s fight mode.
Don’t talk to me.
I’m just ready to go do this.'”
“I have a woman who braids my hair for each fight,” Lawson says.
Helen Maroulis during a gold medal match against Saori Yoshida of Japan.
And because we know you’re wondering: Yes, those extremely tight braids can feel super uncomfortable.
Fuchs, though, warns that competition hair can feel “like you are getting a face-lift.”
“Once the braid comes in, I’m a different person…
It’s fight mode.”
Headaches and itchiness aren’t the only side-effects of fighting hair, by the way.
Chookigan also experiences some damage due to all the tight braiding.
That ultimately comes down to training and mindset.
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