In the highly anticipated first episode of The Ultimate Fighter season 32, UFC fans were left stunned as former flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko revealed a controversial training policy - no drinking water during training sessions. The revelation has sparked a heated debate among MMA enthusiasts worldwide.

Shevchenko's unique training approach came to light as the athletes on The Ultimate Fighter grappled with the intense drills, teaching styles, and regimens of their championship-level coaches. However, it was the 'No Water' policy that truly grabbed the attention of the MMA community.

Explaining her reasoning behind the rule, 'The Bullet' stated, "When you are drinking water, you are kind of like focusing on [the fact] that you are tired. This is a way to develop your champion mindset... Water only before, or after, during the training - nothing, we don't drink."

While some fighters, like featherweight prospect Nathan Fletcher, see the 'No Water' policy as a mental advantage and a challenge that pushes their mental toughness, others have expressed skepticism and concern.

The MMA community has had a decidedly mixed response to Shevchenko's strict approach. Many fans took to social media to voice their opinions, with some citing the intense heat and humidity of Las Vegas, where The Ultimate Fighter is filmed. They question whether it is wise to withhold hydration from young fighters in such conditions.

One popular response to an ESPN MMA post featured a picture of a refrigerator stocked with bottled water, while another comment simply stated, "Yeah, she's dehydrated." Such reactions highlight the skepticism and concerns surrounding the controversial rule.

It is worth noting that not drinking water during training sessions is not an entirely new concept in combat sports, as athletes who observe fasting during Ramadan often go without water for extended periods. However, Shevchenko's decision to impose this challenge on her fighters has drawn mixed reactions due to the specific circumstances of intense training in Las Vegas.

As The Ultimate Fighter season 32 progresses, fans will undoubtedly wait with bated breath to see how Shevchenko's 'No Water' policy affects the performance and mental fortitude of the athletes under her guidance. Only time will tell if this controversial training approach proves to be a winning strategy or a cause for concern.