UFC bantamweight star Vinicius Oliveira is undergoing a severe weight cut ahead of his first career UFC main event on Saturday.

Weight cutting has re-emerged as a hot-button topic in modern-day MMA circles. Especially after UFC prospect Cameron Smotherman’s horrifying moment at the UFC 324 official weigh-in, talks are resurfacing about the ethics of weight cutting and whether or not the risks are worth the rewards.

UFC Vegas 113 is hours away as top contender Mario Bautista faces streaking prospect Vinicius Oliveira in the main event. It’s a pivotal matchup in the UFC bantamweight division as both fighters look to make cases for a title shot.

For Oliveira, it’s easily the biggest spotlight of his young career, as the former Dana White’s Contender Series standout looks to add another signature knockout. But ahead of UFC Vegas 113, the fight is in slight jeopardy due to a dramatic weight cut from the talented prospect.

Vinicius Oliveira’s 50-pound cut raises concerns over UFC Vegas 113 headliner

During his UFC Vegas 113 media day press conference, Oliveira shared scary details of his weight cut ahead of Friday’s official weigh-in.

“To be honest, I need to lose a lot of kilos,” Oliveira said.

“I used to do that, but it is tough to me. I don’t know how many times I’m going to stand in this division, so I’ve got a plan to get the belt faster, then move on. Move on from my division because I think it’s not healthy to the body to lose a lot of pounds.

“I usually lose from the beginning of my camp, 24, 23 kilos (50 to 52 pounds) to fight and that’s too much,” Oliveira continued. “I feel really tired, I feel sick, but now I did some different things with my health and my food. I put out the sugar, so I think it’s making me better than the last cutting weight, but the suffering is the same. I (still) need to lose, like six or seven kilos (13 to 15 pounds). It’s normal.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)

As of this writing, UFC Vegas 113 doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy ahead of Friday’s weigh-in. But don’t be surprised if Oliveira looks significantly drained as he weighs in ahead of the biggest fight of his life.

What is your prediction for Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira? Let us know in the comments!