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May 16, 2025

‘Get help and support’ – UFC fighter Craig opens up on eating disorder

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Paul Battison

BBC Sport journalist

1 hour ago

Warning: this article contains discussion of eating disorders

Paul Craig says he developed an eating disorder while cutting weight for his four-fight stint at middleweight and has urged any fighter who has experienced the same to “get help and support”.

The 37-year-old Scotsman, who has spent the majority of his 11-year career at light-heavyweight, moved down to middleweight in 2023 with a submission win over Andre Muniz.

Craig, who lost his next three fights in the division, said he restricted his calorie intake for 10 weeks leading up to the bouts.

Craig weighs around 220lb (15st 7lb) normally and described the cut to the UFC’s middleweight threshold of 185lb (13st 2lb) as “horrible”.

“I set myself a goal of being middleweight champion and focussed and did it. But mentally, I ended up with an eating disorder,” said Craig.

“The best thing I did was talk to people about it because for a long time I was embarrassed of it.

“I do believe there are other fighters out there going through this so put it out there, get the help and support.”

The National Health Service (NHS) describes an eating disorder as a mental health condition where people use the control of food to cope with feelings and other situations.

“The things fighters will do to their bodies is incredible. [At middleweight] I had low testosterone, low white blood cells, I kept getting infections because I had nothing to fight them off,” he said.

“I had really low body fat percentage – but the goal was to be champion and be in the top-10 and [at the time] I’d do anything to do it.”

Craig said after reaching out for help he was able to develop a “healthier relationship” with food.

It is common practice for fighters to shed weight before fights and in recent years the UFC has taken steps to make weight cuts safer.

The promotion company built the Performance Institute, which provides guidance for athletes from professional health experts.

Intravenous drips are now banned, which forces fighters to hydrate in a healthier way.

‘It’s difficult to pick yourself up after three losses’

Craig, who last fought against Bo Nickal in November, returns to light-heavyweight against Brazil’s Rodolfo Bellato in Las Vegas on Saturday, aiming to halt a three-fight losing streak.

The fight against 29-year-old Bellato represents Craig’s 20th bout in the UFC since his debut in the promotion in 2016.

He has won nine of those bouts, lost nine and drawn one, but the current losing streak sees Craig questioning his future in the organisation if he doesn’t triumph on Saturday.

“It’s difficult to pick yourself up after three losses because this sport is about entertaining. This sport is about winning. And if you’re not entertaining, the UFC has no right to keep you,” said Craig.

“I’m under no illusion a loss on Saturday night potentially results in me not having a UFC contract come Monday morning. That for me is a fire and I do my best work when my back is against the wall and everybody has written me off.”

Fashion fans loved seeing how a shopper styled a ‘chic’ Primark outfit to create a ‘stunning’ and ‘expensive’ look

Shoppers love Primark’s waistcoats for summer outfits (Image: Primark)

It’s no secret that Primark is a high-street favourite loved by fashion fans. The retailer is behind more than one of the season’s viral looks, and it’s long been a go-to for shoppers searching for summer staples.

Fans could also create a “high-end” look for less by taking inspiration from a blogger who impressed social media users by styling a Primark outfit that looks “elegant and expensive.” Blogger @ellascreationcorner recently shared a video titled: “This is your sign to run to Primark for this whole outfit.”

In the clip, the shopper wowed in a white waistcoat paired with wide-legged denim jeans and a brown leather-look bag. She added: “Primark killing once again,” and viewers were in agreement.

Shoppers loved the “stunning” look, suggesting the finished outfit looked “so chic.” Replying to the video, a fan praised: “You make it look so elegant and expensive!! Stunning!” Another shared: “Love this fit!” A similar comment read: “Love this whole fit! So chic!”

More praise read: “I miss living in the UK for this reason alone, Primark is unbeatable.” Another fan wrote: “Urmmm miss, your made this look so high end.” Someone else added: “You look amazing!” while a commenter said: “This top!!”

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While the stylish shopper didn’t share her outfit details, it looks like she picked Primark’s £16 Crew Neck Longline Waistcoat. Shoppers can click and collect it from Primark’s website.

The product description says: “Make every outfit chic with this crew neck longline waistcoat — it’s the look of the season.” It’s available in black, white, orange, and blue, with sizes ranging from XS to XL, though size availability may vary.

Primark also offers a similar The Edit Linen Waistcoat for £26. Shoppers looking for an all-linen look could pair the waistcoat with Primark’s £28 The Edit Linen Trousers, available in white, orange, and khaki, or the £24 The Edit Linen Trousers, available in black or ecru.

Model wears white Primark Crew Neck Longline Waistcoat

Primark’s Crew Neck Longline Waistcoat(Image: Primark)

Alternatively, fans of @ellascreationcorner’s outfit could opt for a similar denim look. Primark offers a selection of jeans, including £18 Wide Leg Denim Jeans, £18 Wide Leg Boyfriend Jeans, and £16 Straight Leg Denim Jeans, and the latter has short and long length options.

Fashion fans can expect to see sleeveless waistcoats everywhere this summer. Primark is not the only retailer with options for fans who love the “look of the season.” For instance, New Look offers a Buttoned Crew Neck Ponte Waistcoat in various colours for £23.99. The product description for the white waistcoat says: “Dress up your denim with this sleeveless white waistcoat. Its slim shape features tortoiseshell buttons to the front.”

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May 16, 2025

Q&A: India’s Neeraj Chopra on mental pressure, social media and 90m barrier

By 234Radio in News, World News

Doha, Qatar – Reigning men’s javelin world champion and Olympic silver medallist Neeraj Chopra is set to get his 2025 athletics season under way at World Athletics’ Doha Diamond League event in Qatar on Friday.

The two-time Olympic medal-winning Indian athlete – gold at Tokyo 2021 and silver at Paris 2024 – walks into the new season following a stressful few weeks at home.

From facing social media backlash for inviting Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem to the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin event, to publicly pledging his support for the Indian armed forces amidst their near full-fledged war against Pakistan and dealing with the weight of expectations on the field – Chopra says he’s happy to get back on the field.

In this brief chat with Al Jazeera, the 27-year-old star spills his thoughts on the mental pressure of being a high-profile athlete in India, the boon and bane of social media, and the upcoming athletics season.

Al Jazeera: How do you deal with the mental pressure of being a high-profile athlete and celebrity in a sport-mad country like India?
Neeraj Chopra: The ability to win medals for my country is a matter of great pride for me and, to some extent, it takes care of some of the pressure.

As long as I focus on my tasks and challenges on the field, I am able to overcome the mental challenges.

I mostly train outside India, sometimes in South Africa during off-season and in Europe during the competition season. When I go back to India I have to live up to my public image and act in a certain way, especially for sponsorship deals, and I don’t enjoy it very much.

Initially, after my success at the Tokyo Games, it was difficult but with time and the help of some of the experienced athletes, I have learned to deal with it.

Neeraj Chopra won his second Olympic medal, a silver, at the Paris Olympics 2024 [File: Christian Petersen/Getty Images]

Al Jazeera: Is social media to be blamed for some of this pressure?
Chopra: Social media has given everyone with a phone and an internet connection the platform and freedom to say whatever they like and attack whomever they want.

Some people take to social media to vent their pent-up frustrations. If they are facing any issues in their personal lives that can’t be aired, they take aim at people on social media.

However, I try not to worry about such comments and focus on my work.

Al Jazeera: Have there been instances where you’ve felt the need to quit social media and, if it comes down to it, would you be able to go off it?
Chopra: Of course. I can quit social media in a heartbeat if I want to. I never feel obligated to maintain a presence.

I am there to share my journey, promote the sport and create a pathway for other athletes from my country.

I want to show what goes behind becoming an international athlete.

I am not an influencer, I am an athlete. Javelin is my career, not social media. I can quit social media very easily.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - AUGUST 27: Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra of Team India celebrates winning by taking selfies with fans after the Men's Javelin Throw Final during day nine of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 at National Athletics Centre on August 27, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) — Neeraj Chopra celebrates winning gold at the World Athletics Championships 2023 by taking selfies with fans after the men’s javelin throw final at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary [File: Steph Chambers/Getty Images]

Al Jazeera: You and Arshad Nadeem have flipped the script on a mostly European-centric sport by winning back-to-back Olympic medals in javelin, but will this success translate into the growth of track and field sports in the South Asian region?
Chopra: Honestly, up until a few years ago I didn’t I see a great future for athletics in India and couldn’t find a way to take it to the masses.

Now, however, I am beginning to see a change. For instance, for the first time, four Indian athletes are part of the Doha Diamond League meet this year and that’s a great sign. I’m ecstatic. It means people are sitting up and taking notice.

Javelin has slowly become a global event and is not restricted to European athletes any more.

My competition, the Neeraj Chopra Classic, is a step in the same direction. I want to use it as a platform to showcase the sport to Indian masses and help it grow.

(From L) Silver medallist India's Neeraj Chopra, Gold medallist Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem and Bronze medallist Grenada's Anderson Peters celebrate after competing in the men's javelin throw final of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 8, 2024. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) — Paris Olympics 2025: India’s Chopra won silver, while Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem took gold and Anderson Peters of Grenada bagged the bronze medal in the men’s javelin throw final [File: Ben Stansall/AFP]

Al Jazeera: The Doha Diamond League is where your season is about to get under way. You have an Olympic silver medal under your belt, but your World Athletics Championship title will be on the line this year. How do you feel about 2025?
Chopra: I’m ready and excited to get things going. I have a new coach, former Olympic gold medallist Jan Zelezny, who has helped me make minor changes to my routine.

It took some time to adjust to the changes but I feel great. I have been troubled by some groin issues but it’s all in the past now.

I can’t wait to start the new season.

Al Jazeera: Your fans have been willing you on to break the 90-metre barrier for some time now. Does that pressure get to you and do you think this will be the year to surpass 90m?
Chopra: I feel reinvigorated and am in great shape physically.

In addition to the physical aspect, Zelezny has also passed on tips that help me deal with the mental part of being an athlete. It helps keeps the pressure at bay.

I have been training and performing consistently, which forms the basis of achieving the best results on the field. No one can predict what will happen on the day of the competition but I am always looking to go beyond my previous best.

Several javelin athletes have thrown their personal best in Doha and I aim to do the same on Friday.